> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.norrnext.com/norrcompetition/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.norrnext.com/norrcompetition/contests/contest-layout-options.md). # Contest Layout Options Learn how to configure and customize contest page layouts in NorrCompetition. NorrCompetition provides comprehensive layout customization for contest pages. When creating or editing a contest, the **Layout Options** tab allows overriding global display settings specifically for that contest. By default, all parameters inherit their values from Global Configuration (*Use Global*). ### Contest Header & Countdown Timers

NorrCompetition Contest Layout Options — Contest Layout Options

* **Title** – show or hide the title of the contest. * **Description** – show or hide the contest description. * **Contest Start Timer** – display a live countdown timer until the contest start date. * **Contest End Timer** – display a live countdown timer until the contest closing date. * **Voting Start Timer** – display a countdown timer until voting opens. * **Voting End Timer** – display a countdown timer until voting closes.

NorrCompetition Contest layout - front-end — Countdown Timers on Frontend

### Listing Options (Entry Grid)

NorrCompetition - Contest Layout options - Listing options — Listing Options

* **Voting Button** – display the vote/rate button directly within entry cards in the grid. * **Votes Count** – display total votes received on each entry card. * **Average Rating** – display the average star rating on entry cards (active when *Vote Mode* is set to *Rating*). * **Share Button** – display social share buttons on entry cards. * **Play Video** – embed inline video players directly in the grid for video contests instead of static video thumbnails. * **Masonry** – enable dynamic Masonry grid layout, eliminating gaps when entries or image cards have varying heights. * **Show Entries Before Voting** – control entry visibility prior to voting start. Hiding entries before voting begins helps prevent plagiarism and early bias. * **Total Entries** – display total approved entries counter badge. * **Submitter** – display contestant author name on entry cards. * **Submitter Name Format** – format contestant display name as real *Name* or Joomla *Username*. * **Entries per Row** – number of columns/entries per grid row. * **Entries per Page** – pagination limit defining how many entries appear per page. * **Title Length** – truncate long entry titles to a specific character limit. * **Custom Field** – select a custom field to display as a badge or secondary line under the entry title. * **Field Length** – maximum character length for the selected custom field value.

NorrCompetition - listing options - front-end — Entry Grid on Frontend

### Completed Contest Options

* **Entries in Result** – number of top-voted winning entries displayed prominently in the results podium. * **Grouping Field** – select a custom field (such as "City", "Age Group", or "Category") to group remaining entries when the contest closes. If *None* is selected, entries display in a standard leaderboard list. * **Entries in Grouping Result** – number of top entries to display per group when grouping by custom field is enabled.

Completed Contest. Result on the Front-end — Completed Contest Results Grouped by Custom Field

### Filtering & Sorting Options

NorrCompetition - Contest Layout - Filtering options — Filtering Options

* **Search Filter** – display a search input allowing visitors to search entries by title. * **Ordering Filter** – display an interactive sorting dropdown on the frontend. * **Ordering Options** – select which sort criteria are available to visitors (*Votes / Rating*, *Alphabetical*, *Created Date*, *Ordering*, *Random*). * **Pagination Limit Box** – display a selector allowing visitors to choose how many entries to show per page. * **Pagination Limit Options** – comma-separated list of limit choices (e.g. `12, 24, 48`). * **Default Order** – initial ordering criteria (*Votes / Rating*, *Alphabetical*, *Ordering*, *Created Date*, *Random*). * **Default Order Direction** – *Ascending* or *Descending*. * **Pagination** – display pagination bar (*Hide*, *Show*, or *Auto*). * **Pagination Results** – display page counter summary (e.g. "Page 1 of 4").

NorrCompetition - Contest Layout - Filtering options - front-end — Filtering and Sorting Controls on Frontend

### Other Options * **Submit Entry Button** – show or hide the frontend call-to-action button leading to the entry submission form for this contest. * **Back to Contests List Button** – show or hide the navigation button leading back to the category / contests overview list.

Other Options - front-end — Action Buttons on Frontend