Sticky post

Q: How do I keep a post at the top of my blog? I want it displayed for a week and then let it drop into the archives when I don't need it anymore.

Ref:" creating a sticky post"
Go to your post editor and click on "post options". A new window will open. Change the date of your (sticky) post to 30th August 2008. This post will stay on top for a week. If you wish to make a sticky post to stay up longer, change the year to next year.

There is another way to make a sticky post. Use a text gadget. Drag it to the top of the page.

Inactive URL

Q: Can I have the name of an abandoned blog?

No.

http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=41931

Transfering account

The sign in name contains an email address that I am cancelling. Will I lose my blog site if I cancel the email address? Is there a way to change my sign in name before I cancel the email address?

Chuck has a good write up on this:
http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help/web/is-your-blog-owned-by-the-wrong-account
http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/2007/06/how-to-transfer-blog-from-one-account.html

getting visitors

Q: When people automatically sign onto Blogger.com, how do they see that I posted a new blog? Do i need to invite people to view my blog or do they see it if they are looking for the topic in which i am blogging about.

If "people" refers to friends and family members, you give them your blog's address (URL). If you like strangers or any one else to visit your blog, you will need to do some work to get the search engines involved. Very often new blogs like yours do not show up at all on search results because they are new and have not yet been indexed by the web crawlers. You need to promote your blog and wait a few weeks before you can be googled.
http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42377

Go to Dashboard=>Settings=>Email. From the email page you can add upto 10 emails for people to subscribe to your blog. Then, everytime you post a blog, each of these people will automatically receive your entry.
If you have more than 10 people who read your blog, make yourself one of the subscriber and forward the email you get to 10 more people.

comments moderation

Q: a user with the nick slava keep on spamming my blog and leave bad comments on my blog..how do i ban this particular user?

You can screen him out by moderating all the comments coming on your blog. Go to dashboard (control centre), settings, comments, scroll down and select "yes" for both "comment moderation" and "word verification". Save settings. Every comment now will need your personal approval before publication on your blog.

adding widgets

Q: I"m just starting to make a blog, I post my topic and everything is smooth, but I have a question and please help me. I want to add a site meter, banner, logo and ranking make by ALEXA, my problem is I don't know how to put that all in my blog..Please help me...

Widgets, gadgets or page elements are one and the same thing. Go to your dashborad, click on design>>add a gadget. Scroll down to "HTML/Javascripts", add to blog. Paste your gadget codes in the large box, save. You may drag and drop your new gadget anywhere on your blog.

bX codes

I started a new blog put everything in went to publish it and it failed or wouldn't work. I got this error code, somebody please help me with this.
bX-788y6r

Report it here:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pDGYK68-cO4sA0J2wa9fYBQ

Delete duplicate or unnecessary posts

Q: How do I delete multiple posts?

If you wish to delete a duplicate post on this user forum, find the post, click on More options, remove, confirm:
http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help/web/remove-unnecessary-posts

If you wish to delete posts on your own blog, go to your dashboard, click on posts. A list of all your posts will appear. Select each post in turn and click on "delete" on the right hand side. Then confirm by clicking "Delete it"

Reversing the order of posts

Q: How do you change the direction of your posts, instead of new posts going on top of the old ones, it goes in the opposite direction?

Yes, it is possible; but you have to do it manually by changing the date of each and every post. There is no short cut available.
Please go to your dashboard and click on:-
1. Edit posts (select one small square box from the bottom of the list)
2. Edit (bottom left corner is the "post options" button)
3. Post options (Scroll down and on the bottom right corner, you can manually change the post date)
4. Publish post
5. Repeat the process with the next post in a similar manner, until all your posts dates are changed. Then you have a different chronological order, based on the new dates. (your blog now reads like a book?)
6. When you add a new post from then on, remember to go back and edit the date after you published post.

(A scheduled post is created by editing the post date to a future date before pressing "publish")
This thread has a more technical way of doing it:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=422b10d54bd10195&hl=en

Advice to newbies

Q: Like others - and thank goodness I am not alone - I have no idea of what I am doing, how to do it, or or why. I am not that sharp on the computer, but I can do what I want to do ! Any help on getting the knack of this would really be appreciated. Thank you

Quite frankly, I was very much like you, and did not quite understand the concept. I have only been doing it for roughly two months, and I am still a novice.
I have a couple of recommendations. First, take it slow and do not do anything that seems complicated or dramatic. I see questions from folks all the time that suggest that something catastrophic has occurred.
Second, I have learned a little week by week, mostly by trial and error, and checking out this Google Group.
Third, I believer that it is helpful to understand what is going on conceptually, before actually trying to do it. In that regard, check out a couple of encyclopediac entries on blogging such as those on Microsoft Encarta or wikipedia.com, and read what blogging is all about first. There is also a Blogging for Dummies book in some bookstores, which is very helpful. What you want is plain language.
Fourth and finally, the hardest thing to do is to figure out how to get people to visit your site. Blogger just published a piece on "Promoting Your Blog," which is half-way decent, although somewhat self-serving. At least the info is in one location. Go to http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42377 . Good luck.
http://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.com/
Logistician
==================
Logistician is right. Please don't try to do too much at first. Avoid codes, html and templates like the plague and you will have an enjoyable blog experience. Blogging web sites are free and so don't ever pay any money to any one. It does not work! I have also written a blog dedicated to newbies: http://davidchin342.blogspot.com
=============

A blog or a group?

Q: I work for a nonprofit and we are interested in creating a blog for our organization and our volunteers, so that they can share thoughts. Does anyone have any tips?

If you are sharing thoughts a blog may be the thing you are looking for. Go to this screen: https://www.blogger.com/start and register as a member.
1. go to dashboard.
2. click on "new post"
3. fill in the "title" and write your post inside the large box.
4. when you have finished typing, click on "publish post"
5. click on "view blog" and you will see your very first blog. Welcome to the club!
6. copy down the 2nd top line (on your monitor screen). This is your blog's URL address (http:// yourid.blogspot.com/) or you can save it in your favourites list for your future reference.
7. Go to settings again, click on permissions. Here you may add up to 100 email addresses of your volunteers to invite them to post on your blog.

However, I feel that you should also consider forming a Google group instead of a blog. http://groups.google.com/groups/create?lnk=gcphp
Membership is unlimited (>100 members). Both these web sites are completely free of charge.

changing blog name

Q: how to change the blog name ?

A: Please go to settings, basic, title (change your blog name). Save.

Chat box

Q: How do I install a chat box?

http://www.cbox.ws/

Transfer of ownership

Q: How do I transfer ownership from one email to another?

http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=41448

http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/2007/06/how-to-transfer-blog-from-one-account.html

Where is my blog

Q: I'm a newbie in blogging.. I could not find my blog when i search in the internet. Why was that?

It will take time for your blog to be indexed by search engines. You can hurry it up if you work on it. You need to promote your blog:
http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42377

Meanwhile you can always locate your blog by using the address:
Go to this screen: https://www.blogger.com/start
1. sign on to blogger using your ID and password
2. Go to settings>>publishing>>Blog*Spot address,
3. Your blog's URL looks like this: (http:// yourid.blogspot.com/).
4. Copy/paste it on an email to friends and family members, instructing them to use the address bar.
5. Share your URL (blog address) with bloggers at the "coffee shop"
6. Visit other people's blogs, posting comments under their posts.
7. Update your interests list on your profile. These are links to other bloggers who have the same interests as you.

delete post on BHF

Q: How do I delete my post on BHF?
Chuck has this link:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=2d92c54fb494d6fc&hl=en

edit post on help forum

To edit post (with typo) on Blogger help forum, first copy your post,
click on:
1. edit (right side of page)
2. delete reply
3. edit paste in the large box (correct the typo)
4. Post reply

You need to subscribe to new replies on this thread. Tick the square box (Email me when people reply) Save.
Then you will receive an email alert when people reply to your query.

How to make another page

Q: How to make another page in my blog ?

There are no pages in a blog. On Blogger, we talk about posts or blogs. Some people loosely call posts as blogs and mention home "page". Hence the confusion. Posts are each entry that you add to your blog by using the button "new posts" on your dashboard.
Think of post as a chapter (like in a book). Blogs are what you get by using the button "create a blog" on your dashboard. They contain many posts (chapters). Blogs can be compared to a complete book with many chapters (posts).
If you wish to make a new post, please go to dashboard and click on "new post". On the other hand if you want to start a completely new blog, click on create "blog". A post can be as long as you make it. A blog can be endless with posts being added constantly...

Converting html tags to display in web pages.

Q: How do you get the html code to show in your post? Normally, this would interpret the form and show link!

I convert a html tag to web page friendly display:

http://www.plus2net.com/html_tutorial/tags-page.php

Adsense ads

Q: I cannot seem to get ads on my blog. I copy and paste the codes into my HTML, but still nothing.

You don't need codes to put Google Adsense ads on your blog.
Go to layout and click on:-
1. add a gadget (select Adsense)
2. add to blog (configure ads)
3. save

Header is too wide

My blog does not look right. The header and background photo appear too large i.e. you must scroll to the right(->?) to see the whole thing!

You need to restrict the size of your photo width, then you don't need to scroll to the right. Select "shrink to fit" option for your image before uploading.

Header at the side

Q: My header has been moved to the side and I cannot move it why?

This problem has been solved recently by Lawny and Panther (joint effort)
Go to layout, edit html (save a copy, just in case)
Look for the widget (near the bottom, under header)
you need to change, where it says: locked='true' to locked='false'
Save.
This will put back the "remove" tab which allows you to remove the header from the side bar. Create a new page header gadget (larger and over the top of your posts)

Who is a spammer?

Q: How can blogger tell that any blog is a spam?

They don't tell us, for several reasons.
1) The classifications change, constantly.
2) The classifications are fuzzy.
3) If they told us then the spammers would know how to avoid being detected.

Post title box gone

Q: Where has the title box gone?

Go to settings, formatting, scroll down. Select "yes" for "show title field".Save settings.

change email address

Q: How do I change my email address on Blogger?

Add the new email account as a blog member, using Settings - Permissions.
More details given here by Chuck:
http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help/web/is-your-blog-owned-by-the-wrong-account

wrench & screw driver

Q: How do I get rid of the wrench and screw driver?

The Wrench and Screwdriver are there for your use. They are for Quick Editing of their respective Page Elements. No one else can see them. Don't worry about them. Only you can see them.

(If you are not logged in, you will never see it. The rest of your readers never see it at all. That's just how the system is set up. If you can stop being annoyed, the Quick Edit icon is tremendously convenient unless you NEVER have to revise or correct a post.) (Those are icons that only you can see. They are quick-edit tools available to you, to edit either your page elements or your post more easily. No one can see them on your blog. You cannot see them on my blog. It's all priivate, and it's all safe. Others have worried just like you, but there's nothing to it. Every so often, someone who insist that the icons persist in showing even they have logged out of Blogger, but it doesn't matter in this sense--no other parties WERE EVER able to see your quick-edit tools or your email address, unless they looked over your shoulder.. )Rat

Those are shortcuts to the page element's editor. They will go away when you log out. Regardless, no one but you can see them or use them. hbl

If you are really bothered by the wrench, Chuck has a solution:
http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/2007/10/dragonflies.html

Lawny also has one:

add this code near the top it will hide them

.quickedit{visibility:hidden;
display:none; }

share my blog with friends

Q: How do I share my blog with friends?

Go to this screen: https://www.blogger.com/start
1. sign in to blogger using your ID and password
2. click on "view blog" and you will see your blog.
3. copy down the 2nd top line (on your monitor screen). This is your blog's URL address (http:// yourid.blogspot.com/) or you can save it in your favourites list for your future reference.
4. paste on an email to friends and family members.
5. update your profile interest list. It is a link to other bloggers with the same interests as you.
6. When you are reading an interesting blog, leave a comment. Look at that blogger's list of blogs that he follows (in his profile). Leave comments on those blogs as well. Leaving comments will attract more readers to your blog.

Some useful links:
http://www.google.com/submityourcontent/index.html
and a recent thread on the same topic:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?fid=461326d547c4fa8b000491d44ed05b13&hl=en

re-arrange footer widgets

Sign in to Blogger and go to your dashboard. Click on:-
1. layout
2 edit (on Blog post) scroll down. drag and drop the widgets to your requirements
3. save

Adsense ads

Q: How do I place Google ads in between posts?

Go to layout. Click on:-
1. edit (on blog post) select (tick) show ads between posts. Configure ads
2. save.

You will need to delete the other Google ads as you are allowed to have total 9 ads only.

dashboard

Q: I have created a blog. now in the dash board so many "blogs of note" have been added. How to delete or edit them? first of all what is this DASHBOARD? how to make your blog known to many people?or how to make it an active popular blog?

The dashboard is where all your blogs are listed under your Google account. You are the only person who can go in there to edit/delete your posts or blogs (ID and password required) . Visitors or authors to your blog cannot edit what you have post. Co-authors can edit their own posts. Visitors can read and post comments only under each post.

You cannot delete the "blogs of note". It is Google's way of showing you other people's outstanding blogs to give you a guide line. If you scroll down further you will also see the lattest updates/changes to Blogger (buzz).

To become popular in the Blogosphere takes a lot of hard work. You need first to post some interesting stuff that many people want to read/see/listen/watch.

Then you get the search engines involved by submitting your blog for listing:
Here are just a few:
Submit Express: http://www.submitexpress.com/submit.php
Technorati: http://technorati.com/tag/technorati
Yahoo: https://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/submit

adding a photo to header

Q: How do I add a photo to the header?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-
1. layout/design
2. edit (on the header) choose placement and "shrink to fit"
3. browse (choose a large photo)
4. open (wait for upload)
5. save

add search box

Q: How can I add search option in my blog's homepage?

These are the codes:

<form action="/search" method="get">

<input name="q" type="text"/>

<input value="Search" type="submit"/>

</form>

Go to layout, click on:-
1. "add a gadget" (scroll down to html/javascript)
2. "add to blog"
(paste these codes in the large box. Title: search this blog)
3. save (you can now drag and drop your new search box any where on your page.)

Where to place counter codes

Go to layout, click on:-
1. "add a gadget" (scroll down to html/javascript)
2. "add to blog" (paste your codes in the large box)
3. save (you can now drag and drop your new gadget any where on your page.)

David

add new page

Q: How do I add a new page to my blog?

Just go to dashboard and click on "new post"

rearrange the widgets

How do I rearrange the widgets (Post by, Time, Comments, Labels, pencil icon) at the bottom of my blog post?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-
1. Design
2. edit (on Blog post) Scroll down and you can drag and drop to rearrange the widgets.
3. save

can't find my blog

Q: Where is my blog?

Apparently there is a typo somewhere. It is easy to make a mistake with URL which has to be exact. Use the copy/paste method without typing:

Go to this screen: https://www.blogger.com/start
1. sign in to blogger using your ID and password
2. click on "view blog" and you will see your blog!
3. copy down the 2nd top line (on your monitor screen). This is your blog's URL address (http:// yourid.blogspot.com/) or you can save it in your favourites list for your future reference or email it to your friends.

Image as an email link

Q: I have made a picture on adobe photoshop and saved it as a JPEG image. The image is uploaded onto my google pages site and I have the html code.I want to put the picture onto my blog so when people click on it they are taken to outlook express or whatever they use and can then send me an email. How do I do that?

<a href="mailto:youremailaddress"><img src="someImage.jpg"/></a>

How to make a picture link: 
http://www.spiceyourblog.info/2009/10/make-easy-email-me-or-mailto-link-or.html

email link

Q: How do I create an email link?

<a href="mailto:youremailaddress">email me</a>

However there are drawbacks. You should read this link first:  http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/2008/01/keep-your-email-address-safe-yet-be.html

I forgot

Q: How can I recover my user name and password from Blogger?

http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=41971&topic=12471

I forgot my email address

Q: I forgot my email address. What should I do?

http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=41971&topic=12471#forgotemail

Double header on dots template

Q: I'm using the Dot template. My header suddenly moved from the top of
the page to the left hand column. It can't be moved or removed. Why
did this happen and is there anyway I can easily move it back to the
original position? I am a novice and know nothing about coding.
thanks anyway!

Lawny has found a solution:

go to layout, edit html and scroll down the code editor window and
look for the following code (yours maybe a bit different).

<b:widget id='Header1' locked='true' title='BLOG TITLE (Header)'

type='Header'/>


change where it says

locked='true'
to
locked='false'

and you can drag or delete it from the page element tab

compose mode

Q: Whenever I am creating a blog and insert a picture it comes up as a bunch of numbers and letters. Also I cannot center my writing anymore ... the button is gone. Any ideas on why this is happening? It seems to have started after I put a slideshow on my blog?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-
1. settings
2. basic (scroll down to "show compose mode for all your blogs" and set it to "yes")
3. save settings
4. use compose mode to upload photos or videos

What is a blog post?

Q: What is a post?

Some people loosely call posts as blogs. Hence the confusion. Posts are each entry that you add to your blog by using the button "new posts" on your dashboard. Think of post as a chapter (like in a book).
Blogs are what you get by using the button "create a blog" on your dashboard. They contain many posts (chapters). Blogs can be compared to a complete book with many chapters (posts)

Review for spam blogs

Q: My blog has been blocked as a spam blog. What do I do?

If your blog has been mistaken for a spam blog and blocked, you can ask for a review: http://groups.google.ca/group/blogger-help-loginissues/browse_thread/thread/c94ee6dbd82cbf68?hl=en

expandable post

Try this:
http://hackosphere.blogspot.com/search?q=expandable
or this:
http://blogxool.blogspot.com/2009/09/add-read-more-function-to-blog.html

Lawny has also written a blog on this:
http://lawnydesignz.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-to-create-expandable-post-summaries.html

hbl has one
http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?hl=en-uk&answer=42215

Change email and ID

Q: How do I change my e-mail and user names? When I set up my Blogger account I did not pick up typo mistakes in these and I can't log into my account now.


Chuck has the answer: http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help/web/is-your-blog-owned-by-the-wrong-account

I can't find my blog

Q: I have rechecked url and even emailed the blog address provided by system to another email and pasted it in Google blog search and it still shows unable to find. Where is my blog?

I can see your blog; but that doesn't mean that the search engines can find your blog. You need to read this:
http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help/web/i-cant-find-my-blog-on-google-where-is-it?hl=en

Katney has the answer:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=555df583c79ac432&hl=en

Chuck has a full write up on this problem:
http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help/web/my-blog-is-gone

share my blog

Q: Is there any way to add your friends on here? if there is how do you do it?

You can invite all your friends (max 100) to post on your blog. Click on:-

1. settings

2. permission

3. add authors

Changing to layout tab

Q: I do not have a layout tab. How do I upgrade?

Sean has a way to change from template to layout tab: http://notjustajax.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-to-reset-your-blog.html

Roberto has a link:
http://www.blogging.robertosblogs.net/2008/06/upgrading-your-classic-template-to.html

Header image off centre

Q: I've gone on the forums and tried about 30 different attempts to fix this, and I am totally stumped. When I upload an image (including one's that are 740px wide as suggested) to replace the header of my template, the image gets placed off-center to the right. I am completely baffled. Any help is appreciated.

Before you click on browse, select the square box "shrink to fit"

This link may be useful for some people:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=1048e18790c2b5fe&hl=en

scheduled posts

Q: I have just made 3 posts. They have disappeared!

If your posts do not appear on your blog, it could be because you changed the date to a future date before you publish it.
http://buzz.blogger.com/2008/05/blogger-now-schedules-future-dated.html
If you are making a sticky post, publish post and then edit the date to a future date. This post will stay at (stick to) the top of your page.

make money from blogging

Q: How do I make money from my blog?

1. First you create a blog full of interesting stuff that people like to read.
2. Then you place Adsense ads on it.
http://help.blogger.com/bin/topic.py?topic=12495

The help articles are outdated. Now you click [monetize] and go from there.
More useful tips here:
http://easyresidual.blogspot.com/p/5-tips-for-adsense.html

Clearing cache

Q: How do I clear my cache and cookies?

For Microsoft Internet Explorer:
Click Tools at the top of your browser window.
Select Internet Options from the menu.
Select the General tab, if it's not already selected.
Locate the Browsing history section and click Delete.
In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Delete files.

If a pop-up window appears, click Yes.
In the Cookies section, click delete cookies.

If a pop-up window appears, click Yes.

For other web browsers:

http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=92458&topic=12449

For Google Chrome:

1. On the upper right, from the Tools menu (
   
   ), select Options.
   
2. From the Under the Hood tab, click Clear browsing data... .
   
3. Select the items you want to clear (e.g., Clear browsing history, Clear download history, Empty the cache, Delete cookies and other site data).
   
4. You can choose the period of time for which you want to clear cached information from the Clear data from this period drop-down menu. To clear your entire cache, select Everything.
   
5. Click Clear browsing data.

http://kb.iu.edu/data/ahic.html

Here is another link:
http://www.google.com/support/accounts/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=32050

How do I edit post

Q: I've created a blog and have posted some articles on it soon after i've created. Later, i want to edit my blog and post more articles on it. However, i don't known how to do it. Can you tell how to sign in and edit my blog? Please specifiy the steps clearly.

Please go to this screen: www.blogger.com
Sign on to your dashboard using your ID and password. You will see your blog. Click on "edit posts". You will see a list of all your posts. Click "edit" next to the post you wish to update. A post editor will appear in a new window. Make the changes. Publish post.

You can also click on the pencil icon, under each post, to go directly to your post editor.

Do not allow comments

Q: Is there any way to delete the entire comments section on a blog so that it does not appear at all at the end of a post?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-

1. settings

2. comments

Comments: select "hide "

Comments default for posts: select "new post do not have comments"

3. save settings

email link

Q: How do I add a link for my email so that others may contact me?

<a href="mailto:[your email address]">email me</a>

wishlist

Q: How do I contact Google to suggest an improvement to Blogger?

You can send in your ideas using this form:
http://help.blogger.com/?page=wishlist

adding html/javascripts codes to blog

Q: How do I insert a Javascript counter code on my blog?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-
1.layout
2. add a page element (scroll down to html/javascript)
3. + (add to blog) paste your counter codes inside the large box
4. save changes (you can drag and drop this element)
5. save

date/time together

Q: How can I get the date and the time of the post to appear together instead of the date above the post and the time below?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-
1. layout
2. edit (on blog post) unselect the first box and select the 4th box which has combination date and time)
3. save changes

changing blog address

Q: How do I change the name of my blog?

A: Please go to settings, publishing (change the name inside the box). Save settings

Time zone setting

Q: How do I make the time and date at the end of my posts to match my actual time here?

A: Settings>formatting>time zone

Scroll down and select your correct time zone

Save settings

add authors

Q: How do I allow my friends to post on my blog?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-

1. settings

2. permissions

3. add authors (you may add up to a maximum of 100 authors.)

4. save settings

Screw driver and wrench icon

Q: How do I get rid of the little picture of the screw driver and wrench?

Remove all your page elements and the icons will disappear; but why do you want to remove them? They are not visible to anyone else but you. The icon is a short cut for editing your page elements. The short cut for editing a post is the pencil icon.

adding new page elements

Q: Is there any chance Blogger will let us add a new page to our blog aside from new posts? I need to add more separate pages for maps, about me, etc.

Beside adding new posts to your blog you can also add new gadgets (also referred to as page elements or widgets).
Click on:-
1. layout
2. add a gadget (1844 gadgets listed under: basics, featured, most popular, more gadgets, add your own)
3. add to blog
4. save changes (you can drag and drop the new gadget)
5. save

completely new to blogger

Q: I have never done a blogging page before. Can anyone help me ?

The only way to learn is to sign in to Blogger as a member and try doing it. Go to this screen: https://www.blogger.com/start Sign up as a member, (record down your ID and password)
1. click on "new post"

2. fill in the "title" and write your document inside the large box.

3. when you have finished typing, click on "publish post"

4. click on "view blog" and you will see your very first blog. Congratulations, you are now a blogger!

5. copy down the 2nd top line, your blog's URL address (http:// yourid.blogspot.com/) or save in favourites list for your future reference.

If you have any more questions, please check here first for immediate answers.

If the answer is not there, please post another question on the blogger help forum.

118,000 members on this forum are standing by to help you.

visitors counters

Q: How do I know how many people visit my blog?

What you need is either a sitemeter or a statcounter. You can download any one of these for free. Get the codes and add them to an html/Javascript gadget  (under layout) in your side bar. Use Google Analytics if you are using your blog for business. 
www.sitemeter.com
www.statcounter.com 
www.google.com/analytics/

Alternatively:
Try a neocounter:
http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/neocounter2
or feedjit:
http://feedjit.com/join/
These gadgets will breakdown all visitors to your blog (by countries).

If you are interested in "followers" only, you can add a followers gadget to your side bar.

I lost my thread

Q: I posted earlier if there was a way to keep track on how many people click onto your blog. I have lost my question somewhere and am going nuts trying to find it!! What should I do?

Click on:

1. more options

2. find messages by this author

Displaying HTML codes on web page

Q: How do I post html codes in full in a post to stop it changing into a clickable link?
A: http://www.plus2net.com/html_tutorial/tags-page.php

Here is a code generator which will convert your html tags to web page friendly display. Paste any html code here and copy the code printed above it. Paste that in your post editor. Publish post.

The end result:

<a href=http://www.plus2net.com>HTML Tutorials</a>

and not the usual click-able link: HTML Tutorials

Hyperlinks

Q: What is html?

HTML codes are not such a big deal. They are quite easy to use. You can read more about it here: http://www.plus2net.com/html_tutorial/b-guide.php
or here: http://www.w3schools.com/
and here: http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=41379

comments box not showing

Q: How do I get the comment tag to show below my posts so that people can leave comments?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-
1. settings
2. comments (be sure to select and edit all the boxes you need)
3. save settings

If this does not do the trick, please go to layout, click edit (Blog Posts). A new window opens, select (tick) the 4th box. Scroll down, save.

see other's blogs

Q: Where can I find other people's blogs to read?

1.Click on "next blog" on the Navigation bar
2. Browse recently updated blogs: http://www.blogger.com/changes10.g
3. Do a Google blog search: http://blogsearch.google.com/
4. Update your interests list on your profile eg: reading, golf, blogging. Any interests that you list in your Blogger profile will become links to other people with the same interests.
5. read the "blogs of note" listed on your dashboard.
6. Go to the "coffee shop" (listed under Blogger on this page). Hover your mouse over the bloggers' names. A bubble will show up with their blog's address. Make a bubble for yourself, so that others can also find your blog easily. I have a bubble. You need one too.
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=035fb64bd6666dc9&hl=en
7. Have a look at other people's list of "blogs I follow", (on their profile.)
8. Browse through Argentum Vulgaris's blog: http://avarchives.blogspot.com/

wysiwyg editor

Q: After I am done typing my post, and go to preview it, it looks fine; but when it actually posts it just looks like one big run-on sentence. I also cannot add color to any text anymore and can only see my posts in html format when I am typing them. How do I fix this?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-

1. layout

2. settings

3. basic (scroll down, select "yes" for "show compose mode for all your blogs")

4. save settings

Frozen

Q: I look through my own blog to view comments, and it does not show the new blogs. It will be frozen like this for weeks, and then be ok. Also I looked up my blog and others blogs on a new computer that I did not set the account up on and there are all sorts of updates on their pages that I can not view from my blog page. Basically recent posts do not show from my own blog on my computer, nor do new posts from other blogs.

A: Clear your cache and cookies. On the menu bar above. Click:-

1. Tools

2. internet options

3. delete

4. delete all (your browsing history, temp files, cookies etc)

5. ok

My sidebar is gone!

My left sidebar has shifted to the bottom of my blog. I hate how this looks. I have tried shortening my lists and even deleted some things on my sidebar. It's still at the bottom. Please help.

Try to identify which of the items you recently added to your blog is too wide. That one is the culprit. You eliminate each post by editing it and save as "draft", until you see your side bar is normal again. Delete that item and every thing will be ok again.

If not, Chuck has a write up on his blog:

http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/2006/03/either-post-or-sidebar-ends-up-at.html

Peter Chen also has this to say:

http://blogger-tricks.blogspot.com/2006/04/what-to-do-sidebar-slide-to-bottom-of.html

Rat knows all about it:

http://20stickyposts.blogspot.com/2006/07/low-sidebar.html

Why blog?

Q: How can I start blogging and how many types of blogging possible, and what do I gain in return? Please help me out! 

The Catholics go to confess their sins regularly to a priest. They come out from the church refreshed and recharged to face the world again for another day. The rest of us who are buddhists, moslems and whatever have blogs to help us maintain our sanity.

There are many types of blogs. Mostly a blog is our safety valve for ranting against the government. Blogging is free of charge. Any one can have one or several blogs. Some blogs are more social than others. They have contact lists or links, recipes, hobbies, DIY, interesting articles, photos, videos, music, stuff for sale, comment boxes, gadgets, forums etc. The list is endless. I even blogged about blogging! There is no hard and fast rules. You do what you like with your own blog. Choose any template and fill it up with posts or gadgets.


Please hover your mouse over my ID to read my blogs (I have 53)


some reasons: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=2dc799e3e43cc352&hl=en

Adding smilies

Q: How can I get the smilies on my blogs

Copy the codes for your smilies.
Use the "add a page element" function on layout, go to dashboard. Click on:
1. layout
2. add a page element (scroll down , select html/javascript)
3. add to blog (paste the codes in the large box)
4. save changes (you can drag and drop your new page element)
5. save

Adding slide shows

Q: How do I add a slideshow?

There are many ways to upload a slide show to your blog.
Here is my way. It works:
Copy your own slide show codes from somewhere. Go to dashboard on blogger. Click on:-
1. layout/design
2. add a gadget
3. scroll down to html/Javascript
4. add to blog (paste your codes here in the large box)
5. save changes (you can drag and reposition your new gadget)
6. save

If you do not have the codes for your own slide show, you need to create a slide show first. Please go to my blog: http://davidchin35.blogspot.com/2005/07/blog-post.html
click on " make your own" under my slide and just follow the prompts to create your own slide show, get the codes and paste as above.

Alternately you can also create a slide-show as a post:
1. Get the codes
2. go to your post editor
3. paste the codes inside the post editor (use edit html mode)
4. publish post.

Date not showing

Q: Why is the date and time not showing on my blog?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-
1. settings
2. formatting (set your date and time)
3. save settings

Publishing a draft

Q: I saved a post as a draft so I can add more to it later, but now I am ready to publish it but there is no publish button.

Go to dashboard. Click on:-

1. posts (select draft)

2. edit (scroll down)

3. publish post

labels list

Q: How to add a labels list?
Go to your dashboard and click on:-
1. design
2. add a gadget (scroll down to labels)
3. "+"
4. save (you can drag and reposition the new gadget)
5. save.

(However, before this will work, first you need to remember to go back and add labels to all your posts)

blog roll

Q: I have one account but multiple blog pages. I want to consolidate all my blogs into one page. How do I do it?

A: You can show a link list (blog roll) of all your separate blogs on your main blog.
Please go to dashboard and click on:
1. layout/design, add a gadget (scroll down and click " +" next to link list )
2. Fill in your URL, (blog address) "add link"
3. save
(you can drag and drop the link list gadget any where on your blog.)
4. save

Appeal form

Q: My blog is locked as spam blog. I have submitted a request from my dashboard, and I have not heard any thing from the Google team for one week. What should I do now?

You need to submit an appeal form: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pZHHZdeYKeHjcTRpnBYV0Qw&email=true

Picking a template

Q: When you start your blog, how do you choose a template?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-
1. layout
2. pick new template (choose from 38 standard templates)
3. save template

sticky post

Q: How do I show the oldest post at the front page?

Go to dashboard. Click on:-

1. edit post

2. edit (your oldest post)

3. post options (scroll down, change the date to next year)

4. publish post

A sticky post will stay on page 1 until the future date.


Another way is to use a text gadget and drag it to a position above your first post.


There are other alternatives shown on this thread:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=6eeaf049183e7c1a&hl=en

Link list

Q: How do I get friends blogs as links on my page?

Go to Layout. Click on:-

1. Add a Page Element (select "Link List")

2. Add to blog (Fill in the details)

3. add link (if you have more links to add)

4. save changes

Reversed order of posts

Q: Can I change the order of my posts so that the oldest ones come first.

A: There is no quick and easy way; but it can be done. Change the date on each post (one by one). Go to "edit post" screen for each post in turn, look for "post options". Click on it and you may change the date (or the time) to whatever you wish. A new chronological order of post is obtained, with the most recent post (by date) showing first on top. Some bloggers use this feature for writing a book on their blog so that it can be read from beginning to end.

If you go one step further and change a particular post date to 2011 (future) you create a "sticky" post which can be useful for some applications eg: a content list, introduction, preface...

Here is a hack; but not very easy to follow:
http://too-clever-by-half.blogspot.com/2010/05/first-blog-post-order.html

Where are the tags?

Q: Is there any way to browse blogs on this site by topic? I can't seem to find relevant link anywhere.

Under some posts you may find labels (tags). click on those. The other way is to update your interests in your profile and click on those labels which are links to other bloggers who have the same interests as you.

Where are my posts?

1. i have checked the published dates and its been set on time.
2. its not in draft
3. i already erased all my cookies etc
4. my internet connection is fine still i cannot see the last 3 updates that i did. its in my post list though but not on my main page. i can also see it in my multiply account and my google reader.

Go to dashboard. Click on:-
1. setting
2. formatting (check the first entry "show", change it to 200 posts)
3. save settings (Your main page will now show all your posts!)

Where is the menu bar?

Q: My panel of posts has no buttons anymore. I need the colors, fonts, and everything else to write my stuff and they're not there. Can someone help me please?

If you are looking for the menu bar to change the font, text size etc. It is there. Just change from html to compose mode and it will appear.

Customize side bar

Q: How do I add page elements?

Sign on using your ID and password. Click on:-

1. customize

2. layout

3. add a page element (here is a selection of goodies you can add to your side bar)

4. add to blog

5. save changes

Show more posts

Q: I created a blog and posted 9 posts. I have saved and published them all but cannot see the earlier posts. I can view only the recent one. Why?

At the bottom of your web page there should be a button "older posts". If you wish to show more posts, go to settings. Click on:
1. formatting (you will be able to edit the number of posts you wish to show on your home page)
2. save settings

Photo placement

Q: When I upload images to my blog they come only at the very top of the blog. That requires me to go through an arduous process to move them down to the place where I want them in the blog. Moreover, it seems impossible to place images side by side, rather than one underneath the other. I need much better control of image placement.

That is the way it is in blogger! However, there is another way. Right click the uploaded photo - cut and then paste where you want it to be. As far as side by side photos, you have a choice on the uploading wizard - left, center, right. Depending on the photo size - and its padding, you may be able to place them side by side. This is a trial and error method - unless you can handle HTML codes.
Word of caution:
You need to watch your photo size too, as the sidebar can be pushed away and 'disappear' to the bottom of your page!

setting date and time

Q: How do I change my timestamp format to include the date & time without seconds. i.e. DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM This particular format is not included in the timestamp settings.

Set them separately. For date use "Date Header Format" and for the time, use the "Timestamp format"

bX code reporting form

Q: bX-tu73o0
I'm trying to change my blog background/layout and I keep getting this error. Can anyone help?

A: Try clearing the cache and cookies:

http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?answer=92458&topic=12449

  
If clearing the cache and cookies does not help, please fill out this form and submit: 
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pDGYK68-cO4sA0J2wa9fYBQ

so that the Blogger Team will be notified of your problem. Then they will fix it for you. While you are waiting, keep trying, use another browser, another computer, reboot...

Formatting date

Q: How do I change the date format on the Edit Posts page (the date of when the post was posted) to day-month-year format instead of month-day-year format? My language and timezone are set correctly, so I assume it does not automatically format based on "culture". In the settings I can only find information on how to set the date and time as it will appear on my posts/blog page, not how I prefer it "internally".

Go to dashboard. Click on:-
1. settings
2. formatting (select "date header format", choose a date format from drop down menu)
3. save settings

Adding a link list

Q: Can I create another page from the same blog??? Whereby I can add pictures to the page and later, link the images and the main page of my blog. How do I do that??? Is it possible to do that? Thanks in advance...

Yes, it can be done. Go to dashboard.
1. Click on "create a blog" (go through the process and upload your photos to this new blog)
2. record the new URL
3. go to dashboard, select the main blog,
4. click layout, add a page element (select "link list")
5. add to blog (fill in your new blog's details)
6. save changes
7. save

Page header missing

Q: When I select "dot" template, I do not get page header bar, where as I get page header bar in other template. As I selected dots for my blog, the heading of the blog is not displayed, keeping my blog without header. Can you help me to add header in that template?

Go to layout. Click:-
1. add a page element (scroll down, select "page header" and fill in the text)
2. save changes (you may need to drag the new page element to the top)
3. save

Adsense earnings

Q: I just want to know how can I see if i'm earning from adsense through bloggers, as I have received no report that i'm earning any thing from Google ads.

You have to make some money first from Adsense before you receive a report from Google. It will take a few months and initially, the amounts will be very small. You can check your account here: https://www.google.com/adsense/account-access

Photo not upright

Q: I took a picture and uploaded it to my blog except I had to turn the camera longwise to get the picture. Now it is posted on my blog side ways. Can I turn it so it is right side up? I have not a clue how to do this please help. thanks.

A: Delete post. Use a photo editor to rotate the photo. Post a new photo which is the right way up.

Profile photo not showing on comment

Q: How do I enable my profile picture in comments? I have the little option that says, "show profile images on comments" enabled, and I have a profile image, but it doesn't display next to my comments like other peoples. Any help would be awesome!

Go to dashboard. Click:
1. settings
2. comments (scroll down and select "yes" for "show profile images on comments" )
3. save settings

If that does not work, try this:
Go to Gmail. Click on:
1. settings (against "my picture" select "visible to everyone")
2. save changes

Editing a post

Q: How do I edit a post?

Go to this screen: https://www.blogger.com/start
Sign on to blogger using your ID and password. Click on:
1. edit post (select a post to edit)
2. edit
3. publish post

A short cut is to click on the pencil icon at the bottom of each post.

Lost

Q: I am really new to blogging. Please help me?

Go to this screen: https://www.blogger.com/start and sign on as a member. It is free.
If you are a blogger with a question, please sign up here: http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help?hl=en
This is a public user forum with over 116,000 members. If you have a question, simply post your question here and some one is sure to respond. Be sure to come back here for the answers. There is no need to provide your email address. You may want to read this first:http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help/web/how-to-report-a-problem

Screw driver

Q: How do I remove the screw driver showing on my screen?

All screw drivers can be removed by removing the corresponding page elements.

My post disappeared

Q: Where did my draft go? All that typing, gone!!

Apparently, the auto-save feature only works on new post.
You can turn it off deliberately. When you plan to make a long post, type one line and publish post immediately. From then onwards, while you are editing this "existing" post, the auto-save will not work again.

Moving a post

Q: Is it possible to move a post to a 2nd blog within blogger ? How?

Yes, use the copy/paste method.
Go to this screen: https://www.blogger.com/start
1. sign in to blogger using your ID and password
2. copy your post (for transfering)
3. go to dashboard
4. create blog
5. paste
6. publish post

deleting post on help forum

Q: How do I delete my post on help forum?

Go to discussions, find your post. Click:
1. more options
2. remove (select "yes, remove it now")
3. confirm

URL

Q: What is URL?

It stands for Uniform Resource Locator, a web page address.
Wikipedia will give more details.

Here is a link: http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?answer=42423&cbid=-f3yvoagm09ie&src=cb&lev=answer

I cannot find my blog

Q: When I look for my blog via search engine, I cannot find it. What should I do?

Go to this screen: https://www.blogger.com/start
Sign in to blogger using your ID and password.
Click "view blog"
More reading: http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=87065

http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=7477bda433122156&hl=en

How many blogs can I have?

Q: Do I have to create a new account to post an additional blog?

One Google account is good for many blogs. If you are thinking of adding another post to your blog, go to dashboard, click "new post". No limit on posts.

On the other hand, if you wish to start a separate new blog, click "create a blog".
All your separate blogs will appear on your dashboard; but you will probably need just one blog.

Making the first post

Q: How do I make my first post?

Go to this screen: https://www.blogger.com/start

1. sign in to blogger using your ID and password

2. click on "new post"

3. fill in the "title" and write your post inside the large box.

4. when you have finished typing, click on "publish post"

5. click on "view blog" and you will see your very first blog. Welcome to the club!

6. copy down the 2nd top line (on your monitor screen). This is your blog's URL address (http:// yourid.blogspot.com/) or you can save it in your favourites list for your future reference.

Adding an image as background

Q: How do I put an image as the background of my blog, like a theme or template?

Go to layout, add a page element (select page header), add a photo as background or theme, save.

Email alerts about comments

Q: How do I set up an email alert so that I am notified every time a comment is added to my posts?

If you want to receive an email alert, go to dashboard. click on:
1. settings
2. comments. (scroll down and look for "Comments Notification email". Fill in your email address. every time some one leaves a comment on your blog, you will be notified automatically by an email)
3. save settings

Deleting a blog

Q: How do I delete my blog?


A: 
Sign on using your ID and password here: www.blogger.com
Go to dashboard and click on:
1. settings
2. basic (under "blog tools" you have 3 options. One of them is "delete blog")
3. delete blog
4. delete this blog 


Word of caution:
After you have deleted your blog, you may not be able to access it again to edit it. Your deleted blog will remain for up to 6 months in Google's cache.  Spammers might claim it and use it as a porn blog. It is much better to delete all the posts and make the blog into a 'stub' blog, leaving these words on it: 'Stub Blog'; without actually deleting the blog. You may then take it off your blog roll and forget about it forever. 

(Please note that deleting a blog does not make the URL available for reuse.)

More reading:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=7a4875edd3a439d1&hl=en%20will%20give%20you%20the%20answer

http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/2006/09/do-you-really-want-to-delete-your-blog.html

and some good news here for those who wish to go back and reclaim their deleted blogs:
http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/2009/03/please-blogger-restore-my-deleted-blog.html

Photos between text

Q: Maybe it just takes practice, but I'm having continued difficulty getting a picture to "be" where I want it to "be" within my post. They either land in the wrong order than what I want. Or, I can't really get the text to be evenly spaced next to the photo on either side.

You can move a photo around if you cut and paste the photo's html codes. Go to post editor and click on:

1. "edit html" button (next to "compose") you will be able to see the html codes for each photo (4 or 5 lines)

2. select the codes for each photo, cut and paste these codes as you wish ( above, below or in between other photos or text.)

3. "publish post"

Uploading photos

Q: How do I upload photos?

If you wish to upload photos to your blog. Click:
1. new post
2. "add image" icon. (on the "compose mode" tool bar, 3rd icon from the right)
3. browse (max 5 photos at a time)
4. upload image
5. done
6. publish post

(If you have Picasa, fill the tray with photos you wisk to add to your blog.
Upload photos to your blog directly by using the button "blog this")

What is my blog's URL?

Q:What is a homepage url ? After I have made a blog how do I find it again so I can post and let friends know about my blog ?

Your blog has a unique address (URL) on the internet. Any one can access your blog and see it by pasting the URL inside the address bar and press "refresh".

Authors/owner (you) can go one step further. You can create/edit posts. Only you know the ID and password to sign on and change/edit any thing on your blog. Anyone else can certainly see your blog if you give them the correct address (URL). Older blogs can be "found" by googling key words, without even knowing the URL.

Go to this screen: www.blogger.com and sign on to blogger using your ID and password.

To see your URL (blog address), please go to settings>>publishing>>Blog*Spot Address.