Layout Block

Lede. References a reusable layout segment that the Layout Flow uses to build the output document, optionally skipped per record.

Group: Layout flow · Available in: Layout flow · Central node: No

Purpose

• Insert a reusable layout segment (cover page, product spread, …) into the generated document.
• Conditionally include the block based on an upstream value.
• Conditionally include the block only when a data group has matching rows.

Where to find it

Add Node ▸ Layout ▸ Layout Blocks (inside a Layout Flow editor).

How it works

Pick a previously defined Layout Block in the settings panel. The block reference flows downstream into the Layout Flow central node, which assembles the final document by stacking blocks in connection order.

The optional Data input is a conditional gate: when wired with an empty value, the block is skipped. The optional Data Group input is an alternative gate: when wired with an empty data group, the block is also skipped – useful for "only print the line-items spread if there are line items".

Sockets

Settings

Example (end-to-end)

Scenario. A catalogue PDF that has a cover page, then a per-product spread for each product, then a back cover.

Wiring.

[Layout Block: "Cover"]            → [Layout Flow]
[Layout Block: "Product spread"]   → [Layout Flow]
[Layout Block: "Back cover"]       → [Layout Flow]

Empty / error behaviour

• No block selected: the node is invalid.
• Data gate empty: the block is skipped for that record.
• Data Group gate has zero rows: the block is skipped.

Limitations

• One block per node. Use multiple nodes for multiple blocks.

Common pitfalls

• The block doesn’t appear in the output. Check the gate inputs – an empty gate suppresses the block.

Related nodes

• Master Spread – inserts a master-spread break.
• Layout Flow – the consumer central node.
• Data Group – common gate source.

Screenshots

📷 Screenshot [NEU]: Layout Block settings panel 📷 Screenshot [NEU]: Layout Flow with several blocks chained