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How to: use the TYPO3 Canto extension

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TYPO3 is one of the easiest to use content management systems, and an ideal pairing with Canto. Our team has created an extension that will allow you to access the assets in your Main Library or a Portal, without having to leave the TYPO3 environment.

Please note: This article assumes that you are already familiar with TYPO3, and have the necessary rights to make changes in your TYPO3 environment. Should you encounter any difficulty or scenario not covered in this article, please consult the official TYPO3 documentation for further assistance.

Install the Canto extension

The Canto extension is regularly updated to ensure optimal performance and compliance with all TYPO3 standards. As older versions of TYPO3 become obsolete, newer versions of the extension will no longer support them. Currently, the Canto extension is compatible with TYPO3 version 10, 11, and 12.

Installation through TYPO3

The easiest way to install the Canto extension is directly through TYPO3. To get started, use an account with the appropriate permissions to log into the backend.

Look for the Admin Tools module, and select Extensions.

The TYPO3 interface - the section "Extensions" in the "Admin Tools" module is highlighted. 

Select the drop-down menu at the top of the page, and change it to "Get Extensions" . Type "Canto" into the search bar, and click the Search-symbol or press Enter. Once the extension has been found, click the Import-symbol to import it.

The "Extensions" module - several elements are highlighted. 

After TYPO3 has confirmed the successful installation, return to the drop-down menu at the top of the page, and select "Installed Extensions". If the Canto extension appears greyed out, click the Activate-symbol to activate it.

The "Extensions" module - the "Activate" button is highlighted. 

Manual installation

If you prefer to manually install the extension, you can find the all necessary files under the following link.

https://extensions.typo3.org/extension/canto_extension/

For guidance on manual installations, please refer to the article "Extension Installation" in the official TYPO3 documentation.


Configure the Canto extension

After the Canto extension has been successfully installed and activated, it must be configured to ensure compatibility with your account.

Select Settings in the Admin Tools module, and then click on Configure Extensions .

The "Settings" module - several elements are highlighted. 

In the new overlay, click the section "canto_extension" to expand it. Under "Environment selection" choose the domain your Canto tenant is located under. If you are not certain, you can verify the domain by accessing your Canto and checking the address bar in your browser. Click on 'Save "canto_extension" configuration' to confirm your selection.

The "Extension Configuration" overlay - the "canto_extension" segment is highlighted 

Please note: The Canto extension can only be linked to one tenant at a time. It is not necessary to change the configuration when switching to a new tenant with the same domain. However, the configuration will need to be adjusted if the new tenant is in a different domain.

Now that the domain has been selected, switch to the "Web" module, and select "Page" . Select any of your existing pages – or create a new page if you do not have any – and click the "+ Content" button.

The "Page" module - several elements are highlighted. 

In the "Create new content element" overlay, choose either "Text & Images" or "Images Only".

The "Create new content element" overlay - the sections "Text & Images" and "Images Only" are highlighted 

In the page creation interface, select the "Images" tab, and click the "Connect Canto" button . This will open the Canto login page in a new browser tab.

The page creation interface - several elements are highlighted. 

Enter the URL of your Canto tenant, and log in using either SSO or your email and password.

The Canto sign-in page. 

Next, choose whether you want to connect to the Main Library of your Canto account, or any of the existing portals. Click "Allow" to complete the setup.

The page where the TYPO3 access to Canto is specified. 

You may now close the tab and return to TYPO3.


Insert assets through the Canto extension

Once you have connected your Canto tenant with TYPO3, you can immediately start inserting assets from your library. From the "Web" module, select "Page" and open any page. Click the "+ Content" button, and choose either "Text & Images" or "Images Only".

The "Create new content element" overlay - the sections "Text & Images" and "Images Only" are highlighted 

In the page creation interface, select the "Images" tab, and click the "Insert from Canto" button to open the Canto overlay. If this button is unavailable, or if it reads "Connect Canto," please ensure that the Canto extension has been properly installed and set up.

The page creation interface - the "Insert from Canto" button is highlighted. 

The left side of the overlay contains the navigation panel. This panel duplicates the folder structure of your Main Library or chosen portal, and you can navigate it just like you would through your Canto tenant. Folders can be opened and closed by clicking on them.

The folder structure of the library in the Canto extension overlay. 

The right side of the overlay contains the gallery. The contents of any album you select in the navigation panel will be displayed here. Above the gallery, you can find a search bar, as well as filters to help you find specific assets. To preview an asset, hover your cursor over its thumbnail and click the Expand-symbol in the bottom right.

The gallery in the Canto extension overlay - the search bar and filter options are highlighted. 

Click on an asset to open another overlay with some of the asset's metadata. Click on "Insert into Post" to add the asset to the TYPO3 page.

The Canto extension overlay, with asset details visible - the "Insert into Post" button is highlighted. 

Please note: Due to the difference in functionality between TYPO3 and Canto, only a limited amount of metadata can be shared between the two. The metadata details imported from Canto into TYPO3 are the asset's file name, file size, file type, dimensions, and the content of the Description field.

Sign out of the Canto extension

Once you have linked your account to the Canto extension in TYPO3, the connection will remain active until you sign out.

To sign out of your account, open the extension as if you were to insert an asset into a TYPO3 page. Instead of selecting an asset, click the Sign Out-button in the bottom right. The overlay will close, and the page refresh. You should now see the "Connect Canto" button again, which indicates that no account is currently linked.

The Canto extension overlay - the "Sign Out" button is highlighted. 


Video tutorial

The following video briefly summarizes the various steps described in this article.

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