Adding a custom dynamic block to checkout

Question

I need to add 2 custom blocks, one on the cart page (below the totals) and one on the checkout complete page. I've searched the net and can find no information on how I can do this. These blocks will contain custom js and need to interact with a custom model. I know how to write the modules required but I'm stuck with the XML and where I should place the templates/layout.

Can someone please give me a very short example (the equivalent of a 'hello world' that displays a block on the cart page)?

Answer 1

I think it will help you:

<checkout_cart_index>
 <reference name="head">
 <action method="addJs"><script>new.js</script></action>
 </reference>
 <block type="core/template" name="new" as="new" template="new.phtml" after="checkout.cart.totals" />
</checkout_cart_index>

Just put this short code into your custom layout XML.

Answer 2

Better idea define a new layout file from you custom module config.xml file .

<frontend>
 <layout>
 <updates>
 <custommodule>
 <file>custommodule.xml</file>
 </custommodule>
 </updates>
 </layout>
</frontend>

Then you need put this custommodule.xml file at app/design/frontend/YourPackage/YourTemplate/layout/

Now,you can add your template file (.phtml) using Page handler

We know that checkout cart page handler is checkout_cart_index and checkout success page is checkout_onepage_success.

on custommodule.xml.you need put this code:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<layout version="0.1.0">
<checkout_cart_index>
 <reference name="content">
 <block type="core/template" name="Giveaname" as="GiveAliasename" template="YourPathlocation" />
 </reference> 
</checkout_cart_index>
<checkout_onepage_success>
 <reference name="content">
 <block type="core/template" name="Giveaname" as="GiveAliasename" template="YourPathlocationofTempkay" />
 </reference> 
</checkout_onepage_success>
</layout> 

The advantage of custom layout file is if module disable then the template is not works.

• Greg Stanton: Thank you @Amit that looks like what I was looking for. I'll give it a try this morning and let you know how it went.