Changing an Existing DNN Module
March 4th, 2010 | 
Author: 
Got this question this morning from the “Ask A Question” form.
“How do I make a change in an existing DotNetNuke module? I want to add new fields to the feedback form.”
I’m assuming the question is about making changes to the module without touching the source code.
But, unfortunately, you can’t do that.
If you want to add a field to the contact us form, what you need to do is get the source from DotNetNuke and add the field to the screen(s), add the field to the database, and add the appropriate code to the business logic layer and the data access layer to make it all work.
Since I’ve already covered how to do module development elsewhere, I won’t go into those details here.
Then you’d also want to make it a new module with a different name and a new directory so that it doesn’t get overwritten when you upgrade DotNetNuke.
I know, it probably isn’t what you had in mind. But that’s how it’s done.
There are a lot of modules that have already been written that are not all that expensive relative to the time it would take you to write this yourself. Check out the listings on SnowCovered.
Here are a few I found with a quick scan:
Other places talking about DNN Module Development
Thoughts from the Wet Coast | Developing Modules for DotNetNuke … – Can I also ask: if I go back to your first example and host an entire MVC website within the DesktopModules subdirectory, then is there an easy way to modify that MVC website so that it uses the DNN membership providers – e.g. so that I …
InteractiveWebs Blog » How to use button images in place of text … – To make the change you simply: 1. Login as Host or Admin to your dnn site. 2. Configure the module. 3. from the menu, select “Modify Look and Feel”. image. 4. From the Send / Reset Settings select “Image” from the Text of Button options …
Styling the tabs in Active Social 1.3 – Active Modules, Inc … – You should not, under any circumstance, change the styles in this file (DesktopModules/ActiveSocial/module.css). The css file loaded from the themes directory will get loaded after this one so please make all your changes there or in the skin.css. …. The most important parts are the float:none, right:185px, and the margin-top:230px;. If you are trying to modify your theme, I highly suggest Firebug or IE developer toolbar to find the classes on each element. …
Other post in DotNetNuke - Module Development
- Creating DotNetNuke Modules - May 20th, 2008
- Creating DNN Modules - The Tools - May 22nd, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Foundational Concepts - May 26th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Install DNN into VS 2008 - May 27th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Creating Base Modules - May 28th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Registering Your Module - May 29th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Where Stuff Shows Up - June 3rd, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Benefits of Architecture - June 4th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Anatomy of the View - June 9th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Adding Actions - June 11th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - DNN Controls - Label - June 18th, 2008
- DotNetNuke - Internationalization - June 25th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Internationalization (part 2) - June 30th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Labels w/ no Help - July 9th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - LinkButtons - July 14th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Collapsible Panels - July 16th, 2008
- DotNetNuke - The Data Layer - Installing CodeSmith - July 22nd, 2008
- DotNetNuke - Modules - Creating The Tables - July 24th, 2008
- DotNetNuke - Modules - Creating Stored Procs - July 29th, 2008
- DotNetNuke - Modules - Portal Specific Modules - July 31st, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Data Access Layer - August 5th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Data Access Layer - August 7th, 2008
- DotNetNuke - Data Access Layer Alternative - August 12th, 2008
- DotNetNuke - Modules - Linking within the module - August 14th, 2008
- DotNetNuke - Make Your Module Searchable - August 19th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Making Content Portable - August 25th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Exceptions the DNN Way - September 2nd, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - PortalModuleBase - September 4th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Inter Module Communication - September 9th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Finding The Page a Module is On - September 15th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Caching - September 17th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Module Settings - September 22nd, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Retrieving Settings - September 24th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Advanced Architecture - October 20th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Creating the PA - October 30th, 2008
- DotNetNuke Modules - Automating the PA - November 5th, 2008
- DotNetNuke - FileUploadControl Danger! - February 26th, 2009
- DotNetNuke SecurityException AspnetHostingPermission - October 14th, 2009
- Changing an Existing DNN Module - March 4th, 2010
Other Related Items:
DotNetNuke 5 User's Guide: Get Your Website Up and Running (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)An authoritative introduction to implementing DotNetNuke Web sites, by experienced DotNetNuke implementers and trainers
An impressive aut... Read More >
DotNetNuke For DummiesDo you want to develop Web sites without the help of a programmer? Lucky for you there’s DotNetNuke, a content management system that allows you to ... Read More >
Professional DotNetNuke 5: Open Source Web Application Framework for ASP.NET (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)DotNetNuke creator Shaun Walker leads this superlative author team of MVPs while delivering the latest update of a bestseller. They offer complete cov... Read More >
Related Post
Posted in 
Tags: 2 Responses to “Changing an Existing DNN Module”
[...] Changing an Existing DNN Module and Sharing ObjectDataSource From Codebehind (Dave M. Bush) [...]
Or you use the DNN Form&List module (was the UserDefinedTable).
This allows word creating your own form with your own fields and setup a notification to be sent when a user or anonymous visitor submits it.