How to Find Joomla Module Positions
Understand where positions come from
Joomla module positions are defined by the active template. The template declares position names and renders them in its layout, so available names vary between templates. A name such as sidebar-right describes a template location only if that template actually renders the position.
Open the Site Modules list
In Administrator, select Content → Site Modules. The Position column shows the position assigned to each module. Filtering or sorting the list can help you see which positions are already in use, but unused positions may not appear there.
Inspect the module Position field
Open a site module and review its Position field. Joomla lets you select a position supplied by installed templates. Make sure you are choosing a position from the template used on the target page; positions belonging only to another template will not render there.
Check the template's declared positions
Go to System → Site Templates and inspect the active template. Current Joomla documentation explains that positions are declared in templateDetails.xml and used by the template layout. For Cassiopeia, documented positions include menu, search, banner, breadcrumbs, sidebar-left, sidebar-right, footer, and others.
Use position preview for a visual map
Joomla includes a Preview Module Positions option that can show template positions on the frontend. Enable it under System → Site Templates → Options, then use the documented tp=1 URL parameter. This is especially useful when a position name does not clearly describe its location.
Remember that a declared position may be conditional
Templates can render a position only when a module is assigned or when other layout conditions are met. A position can therefore exist in the template even when it is not obvious on a normal page. Preview and template documentation are better evidence than guessing from the name.
Record the position before moving modules
Before changing a live module, note its current position, ordering, status, and menu assignment. Position controls where the template can render it; publication and menu assignment determine whether it is eligible to appear on the current page.
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