78 Grid Focus - New Blogger XML Template
August 14, 2008 /

Generally I prefer to design Blogger templates from scratch than convert existing themes, but for Grid Focus, I made an exception.

This beautiful, grid based design is among one of the best and most customizable themes I have ever used. Converted from the original Wordpress theme by Derek Punsalan of 5thirtyone.com, it features a neat three column layout, an amazing navigation bar and integrated links for the home, main-content and blog feeds. Take a look at this theme in action in the demo blog, or read on for download and installation details.



Here is a full page screenshot of the Grid Focus theme for Blogger:


All of the colors in this template can be changed from the Fonts and Colors section in your Blogger dashboard. So if you prefer to have a bright pink background and electric blue links, you can change these features with ease!

In the download package for this theme, I have included both the XML template and a text version of the template. Full instructions for upload and editing of links in the navigation bar are also included in the download.
If you have any problems downloading this theme, please let me know by leaving a comment below. Full support is offered in the Blogger Buster forum if required.


Credits and Copyight Notice

This theme is conveted from Derek Punsalan's original Grid Focus theme for Wordpress and is released under a Creative Commons Non Commercial Attribution License.

This means that you can use this theme in your own personal projects, but you cannot sell this theme!

Please remember to give credit where credit is due! The credit link to 5thirtyone.com must remain intact in this template (this is a condition of use from the original designer).


Over to you!

I hope you enjoy this Blogger template and find the customization options to be suitable for your needs. Feel free to tell me your thoughts and opinions by leaving your comments below.

78 Comments:

14 August 2008 22:35 রাশেদ said...

Looks great.

Gong to test in my test blog right now.

Thanks. :D

14 August 2008 23:19 Dr.Kavita Vachaknavee said...

I have just finished uploading this new template. Thanks for this. I think i'm the first user. It looks great.
Later on i'll manage it as per my links and content.

One thing i noticed -- the navbar...
How to remove it easily? or you can provide a new version of the same tempalte but without this navbar thing.

15 August 2008 00:03 deepstructure said...

i'd love to see a two-column version. it's beautiful. but then i'm a sucker for clean minimalist layouts.

15 August 2008 00:07 Amanda said...

@ Dr.Kavita Vachaknavee: My apologies for this. It seems the problem only happened in Internet Explorer. I'm not sure why the Navbar appears using the original code, but I have managed to find a solution and have uploaded a new version of the template with this modification in place.

Let me know if you would prefer me to write the modified code here.

Thank you for letting me know about this :)

15 August 2008 00:19 Sunshine said...

I like this... I might have to use it. Thanks for the info!

15 August 2008 00:25 Fernandooo1 said...

Great template, Amanda!

Congrats!

And thanks for using my template's screenshot there ;). Lil' detail that caught my attention.

:D

Regards,

15 August 2008 02:46 Natalie said...

Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but how exactly do I back up my widgets? I know that I can go to "edit HTML" on blogger and then copy and paste the widgets into a text document, but then how would I know where to put them in the new template? Thanks in advance...

15 August 2008 04:10 Phyllis Sommer said...

ooh i love it. i am going to test it out right now. thanks!

15 August 2008 09:19 Typhoon said...

Hey Amanda Can You Post The NEW Feature Of Blogger i.e Reactions :

http://templatestreasure.blogspot.com/2008/08/new-blogger-updates-of-august-14.html

..for those people who are using other authors template not that by blogger..i m waiting for ur comment

15 August 2008 09:52 Amanda said...

@Natalie: If you have many HTML/JavaScript widgets, you can back-up your widgets by copying the contents to a text file. Then once you have uploaded your new template, you can create new widgets and add your codes back in.

@Fernandooo1: I'm glad you noticed ;) The theme needed a dark image to set it off, and your screenshot was the ideal fit :)

@Phyllis Sommer: I'm glad you like this new template. It's one of my favorites so far :) But then I do have a rather smashing theme in progress too...

@Typhoon: I've literally just found out about Blogger's overnight updates! Seems like I'm going to have a busy day ahead writing all about them... In any case, I have the "reactions" code figured out already. Will post the method up ASAP :)

15 August 2008 12:55 Archit said...

OMG! I just love it. Awesome work Amanda! Was waiting for someone to convert this template for a long long time.

Cheers!

15 August 2008 15:32 WiseKwai said...

Wow! I'm looking at doing a redesign by the end of the year, and this is just the direction I want to head in. Thanks!

15 August 2008 15:58 Ilyas Kazi said...

This blog is very cool and have a nice professional touch.

One thing is missing... 'Posted by-Author name'

Could you add this too......

15 August 2008 18:45
Anonymous said...

great help again :)

16 August 2008 04:44 Dr.Kavita Vachaknavee said...

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I'll upload the new file.

Well done...

16 August 2008 11:26 DanielPK said...

this is awesome....thnx alot Amanda, but was wondering..can please show us how did you customize your footer? i mean, i've already followed your tutorial for 3 column footer, but can't seem to get it to look something like what you have done...if you could provide some tips, i really appreciate it...
thank you very much for all your hard work.

16 August 2008 13:28 Gerri said...

This is a fantastic template.
You always come up with something when I am looking for something new.
Thanks!!!

16 August 2008 21:51 JohnDoe|EagleEye| said...

Outstandig template Amanda...

I have a few questions:
1) Is it possible to add a top-right-bannerAd?
2) How can I change the 2 sidebars size?

Thanks again for the template

17 August 2008 16:05 Eric S. said...

Amanda, great template. I loaded it on my site, and got everything changed around. I have one questions though, is there any way I can move the comments icon to the bottom of the post and maybe make it more noticeable. My readers are having a hard time finding it.

Other than that, I love. I even incorperate many of your hacks.

19 August 2008 03:12 Ari Herzog said...

Saw this at just the right time, Amanda. I'd had enough frustration with the Cool Blue template of yours to try something new and wanted to go simpler. After seeing the Grid Focus theme on some Wordpress blogs, I searched some more and saw a link to your page here via http://xmlsearch.google.com

Thanks for the conversion.

19 August 2008 06:56 Tom Watt said...

I really want to add just the top navigation bar from this template to my blog, but I have run into problems trying to implement this. Is there any way that I can add this bar as a widget or underneath the header of my blog. If so what code would i have to include to make it function properly?

19 August 2008 09:07 Xpresi said...

nice I will use it..

19 August 2008 14:57 FANomenon Network said...

hey amy !
in the top righ corner i see a little text with the Number 5 in the right , is it a short edition for the latest entry??

thanks for the template :)

20 August 2008 00:28 Bittersweet Life said...

I love the template however can you tell me how the center the image I chose for the header. It looks really off because the image is at the top left of the page.

Thank you

20 August 2008 10:29
Anonymous said...

Great skin, but may I know how to alter the width of both the sidebars? Also, how do you add 'Posted by-Author name' in?

Thanks.

21 August 2008 19:05
Anna said...

OMG!!! IT'S NOT WORKING!!!
Did Blogger get a makeover of something?!?!
There IS no 'Upload XML' thing or anything!!! This freakin' SUCKS!!!
And I was SO looking forward to using this template...='(

21 August 2008 19:10
Anna said...

Oh...I think I figured it out...
I think your site isn't working, because i can't access the background pictures!!! URGH!!!

23 August 2008 02:26 shinydiscoball said...
This post has been removed by the author.
23 August 2008 05:30 Bittersweet Life said...

opps I deleted one to many tabs...what is the code to re-add the tabs at the top...and just how do I link those tabs to say my quick search?

btw I got the picture thing right

26 August 2008 10:17 takto said...

Hi amanda, i want to upload Gridfocus template on my blog and i just get error message like this: bX-xyrzmi. Whats the problem? I am already using one of your template on my blog www.takto.sk so i can tell that i am not a beginner, but i truly dont know what to do with this message. (i tried upload like txt, xml, even start uploading from a fresh created blogger account and nothing)Could you help me please? m

1 September 2008 02:55 Inday said...

hi Amanda..
thank you so much for this beautiful template.. i am using it in my blog right now. I place my own header. I also added some of your hacks.. i already bookmarked your blog for quick referrence. I can't wait for your new blogger hacks.. thank you so much..

Inday
Inday's Stories

11 September 2008 18:54 Zennie Abraham said...

Amanda,. Say, HOW do I get the Nav Bar back? Also, I can't see the author names! Please help.

12 September 2008 17:42 Sean said...

Hi Amanda!

I'm using the Grid Focus design as an inspiration for a new blog I am creating. I was wondering if it is possible to add a 125x125 ad section to the right sidebar.

14 September 2008 14:32 Marianne said...

Thank you so much for this template, it's really quite wonderful. I am having one issue in that the right sidebar widgets are hovering over one another while seen in Internet Explorer. In Firefox and Chrome it's fine.

Any thoughts?

http://mlxperience.blogspot.com/

22 September 2008 09:23 Simpang Limo said...

Amanda,

Thank you for modifying this template. Unfortunately, the "selective expandable post" does'n work on the template. Any suggestion to fix it?

27 September 2008 16:28 fanatika said...

Geez..it doesn't work on mine either.

27 September 2008 20:25 Rod Louzada said...

Hi Amanda

How do I put the author's name on the post?
Can you help us?

6 October 2008 18:46
nev said...

i know its basic but i want to use this template but can work out how to put my links in the top navagation bar, can i only point to other areas in my blog or can i point to external url's and how???? help in stupid....

7 October 2008 06:15 Paul Arrand Rodgers said...

Great template, but I'm having trouble getting the author name to show up without clicking on the actual post, much like everybody else.

11 October 2008 10:17 Hw said...

I love this simple n nice layout!!
going to use it now!!

11 October 2008 10:18 Hw said...

I love this simple n nice layout!!
going to use it now!!

16 October 2008 14:29 gWt said...

help i can't download... xD

help me!

26 October 2008 23:04 विनय said...

I want to download it but helpless.

10 November 2008 19:36 Leon said...

Hello.

Thank you Amanda. This is really good stuff

I have a favor to ask.

Where and how do I add the description at the top right corner next to the avatar?

I hope to hear from you soon, Lionel

lionelthefire2@gmail.com

15 November 2008 18:28 Anak Muda said...

yes...i like this template :D

25 November 2008 04:44
Anonymous said...

i would like to download the template. pls help

25 November 2008 19:38 GamesDatabase said...

very well http://games-database.blogspot.com is a very good blog :X

2 December 2008 00:15 Wendy Sue said...

Hi Amanda,

I couldn't upload the template at all! Not even onto my test blog!

It prompted me to delete widgets and when I click ok, it gave me the error code bX-7m0mrj.

What's going on? Pls help!

5 December 2008 05:28 Saga said...

this is great! Thank you so much for all your hardwork. i love your site.

14 December 2008 07:07 chilly said...

Amanda - I love this. One person commented on if you had a two collumn version. If you have one will you please send it to me. Thanks.

16 December 2008 15:59 Anwar said...

Simple template ;-)
Thank's
Anwar

31 December 2008 23:54 fiat2live said...

how i can remove avatar and replace it by my own

4 January 2009 23:15 ShortLong said...

I have a question. I am new to this and I love this template. However, I did both of the possible instuctions and everytime I go to upload or save in red shows up saying widgets will be deleted. I click ok and save. There is an error everytime. Even when I hit cancel then save it still says error. Please help!

17 January 2009 22:01 Bloggharta said...

Thanks amanda. How can i make it simply css dropdown menus from that top nav-menu?

17 January 2009 22:18
Anonymous said...

It really great one. looks professional and there is not so much going on it...i like it:). This is my www.budujemy-sie.pl

4 February 2009 03:25 Missy said...

I'd also like to see a version with the same post footer that other blogger templates have (with the comments at the bottom instead of the top). Thoughts? I tried fixing it myself, but well, you can probably see how that ended up! Thanks! I love this template and hope it works out for what I need it for. :)

20 February 2009 20:29 Enno William said...

When I try to upload this template Grid Focus,
I get: bX-bliced
Most of these errors go away if you try again later, but this one stays and I see it has been reported before...
And I can upload another template without error!

Help!

20 February 2009 20:30 Enno William said...

When I try to upload this template Grid Focus,
I get: bX-bliced
Most of these errors go away if you try again later, but this one stays and I see it has been reported before...
And I can upload another template without error!

Help!

21 February 2009 08:49 stephen360 said...

im still stuck on the changing, why i counldn't upload my template on the site!!

25 February 2009 11:52 silvino said...

bx errors!

http://www.bloggerbuster.com/2009/02/bx-errors-when-uploading-new-templates.html

tnkz amanda^^

2 March 2009 08:11 Rahul S. Nair said...

Nice work Amanda.. Thanks a lot...

5 March 2009 05:58 keriting kribo said...

#amanda
love it, i'm using the theme...thanks a lot.
and your advise about the bx-error, it also worked out...
you're awesome...

15 March 2009 19:04 NKOTB said...

Nice template
I Like to test it on my blog

15 March 2009 19:13 NKOTB said...

Great Template Amanda.
But how I can modified it with my own stuff?
Like Header or Footer?

24 March 2009 17:44 Cristhian Mestre said...

I downloaded this great looking template, and I'm already setting it up on my blog. I just wonder how I can change the information on the menu-bar.

Any help will be welcome!
MANY THANKS FOR SUCH A NICE WORK!

24 March 2009 18:04 Cristhian Mestre said...

Same question...
How can I modify the navbar or menubar?

Thanks! And... great JOB!

26 March 2009 10:29 Cristhian Mestre said...

How can I change the menubar? Great template! Nice job!

10 April 2009 08:14 Zeta said...

it haves a terrible bug,, in the blog posts option of add google adsense, it gives an eternal error

An internal error occurred. Please try again.

i have tried other templates as well. and this one its the unique that gives that error.

anyone knos how to get ride of one collumn?

11 April 2009 01:14 maboroshine said...

:( man getting erro with expanmdable collapsing post in internet explorer.
works fine in firefox .

is very sad cause this is a cool clean layout.

here is a test http://asdadaf.blogspot.com/

3 May 2009 07:17 mradvisor said...

HI PEOPLE
I would like to know if I am allowed to upload the images of the template in photobucket? I must be allowed to change the link location, right?

thanks

8 May 2009 00:09 Richard Smith said...

Hi Amanda, this is a gorgeous template, thanks for making it available. I'm trying to customize the menubar with my own links, only it's not clear to me what to write instead of the #

(li)(a href='#' title='Link title')Recent(br/)(span)Work(/span)(/a)(/li)

let's say I wanted that button to refer to a page on my blog, what would I put there?

or if I wanted to have that button refer to a different site altogether, what would I put there?

17 May 2009 19:38 indigoCat said...

Hi Amanda,

I tried downloading the code file, but it's missing.
Is the source available somwwhere else?
(same thing happened with the super-custom template)

11 July 2009 15:11 security said...

thanks theme was modified
bloggeriz.blogspot.com

30 August 2009 22:57 dinu said...

i'm having problems viewing the sidebar in Internet Explorer. Please check http://www.dinuzara.com and let me know what i have to do.
I tried to fix it my self but i did't manage to figure it out

17 March 2010 14:18 BOYS said...

i cant download it!!! for blogspot. is the link correct? because i just see byu domains

25 May 2010 00:21
Anonymous said...

LINK PLEASEEEEEE.............

Post a Comment

Browse through the Archives

All existing posts are still available to view while I'm working on the site, albeit seen in a much simpler interface. Feel free to browse through the archives to find tutorials, templates and articles to help you build a better blog:

Blog Archive

© Blogger Buster 2010 Home | About | Contact | Hire Me