Legacy QCDR Token Output Types and Preserved Historical Records
Structured data/JSON, XML, INI/language value, generic HTML attribute output are retired for new selection; existing rows remain stored without silent conversion.
This guide follows the accepted QC Dynamic Replacer 1.1.05 implementation and applies to Upgraded installations; administrators. Where older manuals or walkthrough wording differs from the current source or the accepted keyless-entitlement behavior, the current implementation takes precedence.
Before You Begin
- Use a stable lowercase Token name and understand where the placeholder will appear.
- Keep new or high-impact Tokens Draft/Disabled until tested.
- Check dependency and tier requirements before nesting Tokens.
Step-by-Step Workflow
- Open Tokens and select the reusable Token.
- Configure the Token value/output type and keep it in a safe state during testing.
- Place the placeholder or connect it to a Rule on a controlled page.
- Verify eligibility, dependencies, and tier on the real request.
- Enable/live-test only after authored-content preservation and output are understood.
Current Rule Actions
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Replace it | Substitute the selected occurrence with a direct value or eligible Token. |
| Remove it | Delete the selected occurrence from the rendered response. |
| Insert before it | Insert replacement immediately before the match. |
| Insert after it | Insert replacement immediately after the match. |
| Wrap it using {match} | Place the original matched content at the {match} position inside the wrapper. |
| Change an HTML attribute | Change a supported attribute on eligible rendered HTML. |
Current Token Capability Map
| Token type | Plan | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Plain text | Basic | Names, labels, and reusable short messages. |
| HTML or formatted content | Pro | Trusted reusable formatted output. |
| Image or media | Pro | Joomla Media/external image, alt text, dimensions/class/loading/link. |
| Link / button / URL | Pro | Reusable destination with optional menu-item source and presentation. |
| Nested Tokens | Pro | Reuse supported Tokens inside another Token value. |
| Joomla content / dynamic data | Max | Request-time site, menu, user, article, module, custom-field, and URL/context values. |
| CSS | Max | Reusable CSS output. |
| JavaScript | Max | Reusable JavaScript output. |
| PHP code | Max + Manage PHP Tokens ACL | Server-side PHP whose captured output becomes the Token value; no sandbox. |
Structured data/JSON, XML, INI/language value, generic HTML attribute output
A current QCDR Rule can Replace, Remove, Insert Before, Insert After, Wrap using the required {match} placeholder, or Change a supported HTML attribute. Actions operate on the selected rendered match and inherit all page/audience/schedule/technical eligibility gates. Replacement output can be a direct value or an eligible QCDR Token. For Wrap and attribute changes especially, use private Preview on representative pages because malformed markup or an overly broad Find value can affect browser structure beyond the visually obvious text.
For Legacy QCDR Token Output Types and Preserved Historical Records, evaluate this against the exact frontend request that matters. A saved QCDR item can be valid in Administrator yet remain inactive because a different eligibility gate, dependency, permission, cache layer, or runtime safety boundary correctly prevents transformation. Keeping those concerns separate makes both testing and later support much easier.
Existing rows remain stored without silent conversion
A current QCDR Rule can Replace, Remove, Insert Before, Insert After, Wrap using the required {match} placeholder, or Change a supported HTML attribute. Actions operate on the selected rendered match and inherit all page/audience/schedule/technical eligibility gates. Replacement output can be a direct value or an eligible QCDR Token. For Wrap and attribute changes especially, use private Preview on representative pages because malformed markup or an overly broad Find value can affect browser structure beyond the visually obvious text.
For Legacy QCDR Token Output Types and Preserved Historical Records, evaluate this against the exact frontend request that matters. A saved QCDR item can be valid in Administrator yet remain inactive because a different eligibility gate, dependency, permission, cache layer, or runtime safety boundary correctly prevents transformation. Keeping those concerns separate makes both testing and later support much easier.
How This Fits into QCDR
Tokens are reusable runtime values. When a Token is unavailable, QCDR intentionally preserves authored content rather than silently erasing it.
The safest operating pattern is to keep configuration narrow, use QCDR’s private diagnostics before broad activation when your tier permits them, and preserve Joomla Administrator as the recovery surface. Because QCDR changes the rendered response rather than source files, a correctly disabled or bypassed runtime path should expose the underlying Joomla output again without requiring a source-file rollback.
Verify the Result
- The Token resolves where it is eligible and preserves authored content where it is intentionally unavailable.
- Reference/dependency behavior is understood before deleting or downgrading a Token.
- Reload the real frontend request instead of relying only on the saved Administrator form.
- Check Joomla/CDN cache effects if the result is request-specific.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming an unavailable Token should become an empty string; QCDR often preserves the original placeholder or Rule match intentionally.
- Changing several gates at once during troubleshooting, which makes the actual cause difficult to identify.
- Testing only while signed in as Super User when ordinary users/guests are the intended audience.
- Skipping a recovery plan before enabling a site-wide HTML, JavaScript, protected-area, or PHP-backed change.
Troubleshooting
- If nothing changes, confirm the package-owned System plugin is enabled, the relevant Live Processing switch is on, and the item is eligible for the current Effective tier.
- If targeting appears wrong, inspect page/menu/URL, extension, audience, schedule, IP, technical conditions, and protected-region behavior as separate gates.
- If a Token-backed Rule preserves the original match, troubleshoot the Token dependency/readiness before changing the Find value.
- If behavior differs between browsers/users, clear or bypass relevant Joomla/full-page/CDN caches and compare request context.
- If private Preview/Discovery fails, start a fresh authorized same-site session and confirm the Joomla ACL action as well as the product tier.
Operational Best Practice
Make runtime changes deliberately: use a narrow scope first, keep broad Rules Draft or Disabled until tested, preserve the independent Rule/Token emergency switches, and record the QCDR version plus the exact Rule/Token and affected URL when handing a problem to another administrator. For high-impact HTML, protected-region, JavaScript, dynamic-data, or PHP work, test representative anonymous and authenticated requests and review caching before expanding scope.
Community Discussion
Want to compare workflows, share practical examples, or discuss how other administrators use this QCDR feature? Visit the QC Dynamic Replacer Community. For private support, bug reports, account-specific entitlement problems, or feature requests, use the QuantaCade support system.