How to insert a block into a node or template in Drupal 7?

Question

In Drupal 6, it was easy to insert a block into a template with the following code:

$block = module_invoke('views', 'block', 'view', 'block_name');
print $block['content'];

However, using the same instructions in Drupal 7 does not seem to work. I have looked around and cannot find the new method.

Does Drupal 7 have a routine that can allow for programmatically inserting a block into a template or node?

Solution 1

With wrburgess's answer you may get an error if your server is using a newer version of PHP.

Strict warning: Only variables should be passed by reference in include()...

This is what I did to not cause/get rid of the error.

  <?php
    $blockObject = block_load('views', 'block_name');
    $block = _block_get_renderable_array(_block_render_blocks(array($blockObject)));
    $output = drupal_render($block);
    print $output;
  ?>

Solution 2

D7:

<?php
  $block = module_invoke('module_name', 'block_view', 'block_delta');
  print render($block['content']);
?>

'module_name' = The machine name of the module (i.e. the module's folder name). This is true for core modules too, so for instance 'search', 'user' and 'comment' would all work here.

'block_delta' = The machine name of the block. You can determine what this is by visiting the block administration page and editing the block. The URL for editing a webform block, for instance, would be something like:

Drupal 7: admin/structure/block/manage/webform/client-block-11/configure

In this example, 'webform' is the module's name, 'client-block-11' is the block's delta.

Custom blocks will have module name of 'block' and a number for a delta, which you can also find by editing the block.

More information: http://drupal.org/node/26502

Solution 3

This appears to be the solution for inserting blocks into templates for Drupal 7, but it seems a bit clunky and I have no idea about impact on performance:

$block = block_load('views', 'block_name');      
$output = drupal_render(_block_get_renderable_array(_block_render_blocks(array($block))));        
print $output;

If anyone has a better procedure, please do add.

Solution 4

This work for me:

98 is the id of the block

$block =block_load('block',98);
$output = drupal_render(_block_get_renderable_array(_block_render_blocks(array($block))));
print $output;

Solution 5

Just tested this in drupal 7 and it works:

$bloqueServicios = module_invoke('views', 'block_view', 'servicios-blo_home');
print render($bloqueServicios);

Good luck!

View more solutions

Comments

[jackocnr]

This is the solution I settled on - as it is the only way I have found of including the block title and contextual links. Thanks.

[bcosynot]

This did not work for me. I had to use print $block['content']; in Drupal 7.

[Kevin Siji]

This did not worked for me in the node. I had to use print render($block); for views block and print render($block['content']); for a custom block in Drupal 7.

[Segfault]

This method will theme the block content with the correct template file. Kloewer's answer will get you the body of the block unthemed.

[PatrickS]

since php 5.4 , you can only call drupal_render on a variable... meaning that you should get your $output up to _block_get_renderable_array(), then print drupal_render($output)

[Randy Burgess]

Thanks for adding this. I got bitten by the issue two days ago and wasn't sure of the cause.

[Shaun Dychko]

This is what I needed to get #attached js included, using render() in a .tpl.php file.

[Augusto]

you will need this when rendering a block you created at admin/structure/block/manage/block/98/configure

[Stphane]

Can anybody tell me what is the difference between drupal_render() and render(), and where should I use each function ? Thank you !

[canintex]

@Stphane : drupal.stackexchange.com/questions/66302/…

[ahimsauzi]

Works great, thanks @canintex! I recommend adding a condition to make sure $blockObject exists prior to printing or setting any variables.