Using "Layout Update XML" to add a block to the sidebar

Question

When I create a new page in Magento 2 using the "two columns with left bar" layout it by default puts the wishlist in there.

Using the "layout update XML" in the design options tab I can remove that using this:

<referenceBlock name="wishlist_sidebar" remove="true"/>

What I also want to do is replace it with my own static block. I thought something like the following would do the trick but it does not. Can someone help?

<container name="sidebar.additional">
 <block class="Magento\Cms\Block\Block" name="test" />
</container>

Answer 1

To reference a container you need to use referenceContainer as opposite to referenceBlock to reference a block.

The container tag is used to create a container as the block tag is used to create a block.

In your case, the right code would be:

<referenceContainer name="sidebar.additional">
 <block class="Magento\Cms\Block\Block" name="test">
 <arguments>
 <argument name="block_id" xsi:type="string">test</argument>
 </arguments>
 </block>
</referenceContainer>

This is assuming your cms block id is test, you'll need to replace that value in case it is different

• Arunendra: Is it's necessary to put block class="Magento\Cms\Block\Block" name="test"> ??
• Raphael at Digital Pianism: @Arunendra yes it is required
• caffeinehigh: Thank you all for the solution! Does anyone know if it is possible to add a css class / div wrapper to the block using XML? Or is the best way to just wrap the contents of the block in a div manually?
• Raphael at Digital Pianism: @user1837290 please ask a different question for that, it'll have a better visibility and you'll get help easily
• styzzz: weird. This works on one of my installs, but it doesnt work on the other! SHM!

Answer 2

It should work like this

<referenceContainer name="sidebar.additional">
 <block class="Magento\Cms\Block\Block" name="test">
 <arguments>
 <argument name="block_id" xsi:type="string">promo</argument>
 </arguments>
 </block>
</referenceContainer>