Create custom template for a specific node without node ID?

Question

I want to create a custom tpl for a specific node. However I dont want to use node id in the file name (page--node--11.tpl.php). Is there any way to do it?

Answer 1

Sure, you can use hook_preprocess_node() or hook_preprocess_page() to suggest any template you want for a node or a page. I am suggesting both because of the name you gave in your question page--node--11.tpl.php is really a page template not a node template.

Regardless, you could do this:

function YOURTHEME_OR_MODULE_preprocess_node(&$variables) { 

  if ( /* whatever logic */ ) {

    $variables['theme_hook_suggestions'][] = 'node_whatever_you_want_to_call_it';

  }

}

or

function YOURTHEME_OR_MODULE_preprocess_page(&$variables) { 

  if ( /* whatever logic */ ) {

    $variables['theme_hook_suggestions'][] = 'page_whatever_you_want_to_call_it';

  }

}

and now when that node is rendered, it will use node-whatever-you-want-to-call-it.tpl.php or if the page, page-whatever-you-want-to-call-it.tpl.php.

Answer 2

Check for any attributes you are using to determine if it is the correct node in template_preprocess_page (in your themes template.php) and then add to the $variables['theme_hook_suggestions'] array.

Something like this:

function YOUR_THEME_preprocess_page(&$variables) {
    if(isset($variables['node']) && $variables['node']->your_field_name[LANGUAGE_NONE][0]['value']=='some_value') {
        $variables['theme_hook_suggestions'][] = 'page__your_template';
    }
}