Best Practices for Macro Selection and Optimization in Confluence

Welcome to this tutorial on the best practices for macro selection and optimization in Confluence. Confluence offers a wide range of macros to enhance your content, but it's important to choose the right ones and optimize their usage for better performance. In this tutorial, we will explore the best practices to follow.

Example: Content Formatting with the "Panel" Macro

Let's start with an example of using the "Panel" macro to format content in Confluence. This macro allows you to create visually appealing sections with different background colors or styles.

<ac:structured-macro ac:name="panel">
  <ac:parameter ac:name="title">Important Note</ac:parameter>
  <ac:parameter ac:name="color">yellow</ac:parameter>
  <ac:rich-text-body>
    This is an important message that requires attention.
  </ac:rich-text-body>
</ac:structured-macro>

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Identify the purpose of the macro you want to use. Determine whether you need it for formatting, data visualization, automation, or other specific requirements.
2. Consider the impact on page performance. Some macros, like macros that pull data from external sources or perform complex calculations, may require additional resources and impact page loading times.
3. Review the available macro options in the Confluence macro browser. Pay attention to the macro's functionality, parameters, and compatibility with your Confluence version.
4. Test the macro in a non-production environment. Ensure that the macro behaves as expected and doesn't conflict with other macros or plugins in your Confluence instance.
5. Avoid excessive use of macros on a single page. Overloading a page with too many macros can slow down its rendering and make it difficult to navigate and maintain.
6. Regularly review and update your macros. Remove or replace macros that are no longer necessary or have become outdated.

Common Mistakes

• Using macros without understanding their purpose or impact on page performance.
• Overusing macros on a single page, leading to decreased performance and readability.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are all macros compatible with Confluence Cloud?

No, some macros may be specific to Confluence Server or Data Center and may not be available in Confluence Cloud. Always check the documentation or the Atlassian Marketplace for compatibility information.

2. Can I customize the appearance of macros?

Yes, you can customize the appearance of macros using CSS or by modifying the macro's parameters. Refer to the Confluence documentation for specific instructions on customization options for each macro.

3. How can I optimize the performance of macros in Confluence?

To optimize macro performance, avoid using macros that require complex calculations or extensive data retrieval. Additionally, minimize the number of macros used on a single page and regularly review and update macros to ensure they are still necessary and functioning properly.

Summary

Selecting and optimizing macros in Confluence is crucial for maintaining good performance and enhancing your content effectively. By following the best practices outlined in this tutorial, you can make informed decisions when selecting macros, considering their purpose and impact on performance. It's important to test macros in a non-production environment and avoid overusing them on a single page. Regularly reviewing and updating macros ensures that your content remains relevant and performs optimally. Keep these best practices in mind when working with macros in Confluence to create a seamless and efficient collaboration experience for your team.