Layouts provide placeholders on a page for adding books and portlets. Different layouts display books and portlets on a page in different locations. For example, one layout can display portlets in two columns; another can display portlets in three columns and two rows.
Changing the layout used on a page
The vertical or horizontal placement of books and portlets in a placeholder is determined by properties set in the .layout file for the selected layout.
See Portal Samples for instructions on viewing a sample portal file.
Adding Books and Pages to a Portal
The Portal User Interface Framework
Changing the Header and Footer