---
title: "TYPO3 Configuration Basics"
manual: "RTE by CKEditor"
version: "13.4"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/typo3/cms-rte-ckeditor:config-typo3@13.4"
source: "Configuration/ConfigureTypo3.rst"
rendered: "2026-10-03T08:24:43+00:00"
---

# TYPO3 Configuration Basics {#config-typo3}

Just in case you are not familiar with how to configure TYPO3, we will
give you a very brief introduction. Otherwise, you can safely
skip this part and continue reading
[Configuration Concepts](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/typo3/cms-rte-ckeditor:config-concepts@13.4).

We only cover configuration methods that are used to configure `rte_ckeditor`.

## Page TSconfig {#config-typo3-page-tsconfig}

We recommend you to put all configurations for the preset in the
[YAML](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/typo3/cms-rte-ckeditor:config-typo3-yaml@13.4) configuration. However, it is still possible to
override these settings through the page TSconfig.

You can find a list of configuration properties in the [Page TSconfig
reference, chapter RTE](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-typoscript/13.4/en-us/PageTsconfig/Rte.html#pagetsrte).

### Relevant Settings for `rte_ckeditor` {#relevant-settings-for-rte-ckeditor}

Page TSconfig can be used to change:

1.  Default preset:

    ```tsconfig
    RTE.default.preset = full
    ```
1.  Override for one field (`RTE.config.[tableName].[fieldName].preset`):

    ```tsconfig
    RTE.config.tt_content.bodytext.preset = myCustomPreset
    RTE.config.tx_news_domain_model_news.bodytext.preset = minimal
    ```
1.  Override for one field defined in flexform (`RTE.config.[tableName].[flexForm\.field\.name].preset`):

    ```tsconfig
    RTE.config.tt_content.settings\.notifications\.emailText.preset = myCustomPreset
    ```
1.  Override for one field, if type matches (`RTE.config.[tableName].[fieldName].types.[type].preset`):

    ```tsconfig
    RTE.config.tt_content.bodytext.types.textmedia.preset = minimal
    ```

### How to change values {#how-to-change-values}

See the [Page TSconfig reference,
chapter Setting Page TSconfig](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-typoscript/13.4/en-us/UsingSettingTSconfig/PageTSconfig.html#setting-page-tsconfig). This chapter
also explains how to verify the settings.

## Global Configuration {#config-typo3-global-configuration}

Global Configuration is a system-wide general configuration.

### Relevant Settings for `rte_ckeditor` {#relevant-settings-for-rte-ckeditor-1}

The setting `$GLOBALS['TYPO3_CONF_VARS']['RTE']['Presets']` is used to configure
the available presets for rich text editing.

By default, the presets "minimal", "default" and "full" are defined.

If you add a new preset, you must add it to this array.

### How to change values {#how-to-change-values-1}

Usually, Global Configuration can be configured in the backend in
**Admin Tools > Settings > Configure Installation-Wide Options**.

However, the settings relevant for rich text editing, `$GLOBALS['TYPO3_CONF_VARS']['RTE']['Presets']`
cannot be configured in the backend.

You must either configure this in:

1.  The file `%config-dir%/system/additional.php`
1.  Or in an extension in the file `EXT:<extkey>/ext_localconf.php`

```php
if (empty($GLOBALS['TYPO3_CONF_VARS']['RTE']['Presets']['myCustomPreset'])) {
    $GLOBALS['TYPO3_CONF_VARS']['RTE']['Presets']['myCustomPreset']
        = 'EXT:<extkey>/Configuration/RTE/MyCustomPreset.yaml';
}
```

### How to view settings {#how-to-view-settings}

You can view the Global Configuration in
**System > Configuration > $GLOBAL\['TYPO3_CONF_VARS'\] (Global Configuration) > RTE**.

![](images/global-configuration-rte.png)

## YAML {#config-typo3-yaml}

Most of the configuration of `rte_ckeditor` will be done in a YAML file.

### Relevant Settings for `rte_ckeditor` {#relevant-settings-for-rte-ckeditor-2}

See [Configuration Reference](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/typo3/cms-rte-ckeditor:config-ref@13.4)

### How to change values {#how-to-change-values-2}

This is done directly in the file. The YAML file should be included in a
sitepackage extension, see [Use a Sitepackage extension](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/typo3/cms-rte-ckeditor:best-practice-sitepackage@13.4).

## CKEditor related TCA configuration {#config-typo3-tca}

The table configuration array is used to configure database fields and how they will behave in the
backend when edited. It is for example used to define that `tt_content.bodytext` should be edited
with a rich text editor.

### Relevant Settings for `rte_ckeditor` {#relevant-settings-for-rte-ckeditor-3}

-   [enableRichtext](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-tca/13.4/en-us/ColumnsConfig/Type/Text/Default/Index.html#confval-text-enablerichtext)
-   [richtextConfiguration](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-tca/13.4/en-us/ColumnsConfig/Type/Text/Default/Index.html#confval-text-richtextconfiguration)

### How to change values {#how-to-change-values-3}

This must be done in an extension in `Configuration/TCA`. Usually this is done within a custom sitepackage
extension, see [Use a Sitepackage extension](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/typo3/cms-rte-ckeditor:best-practice-sitepackage@13.4).

### How to view settings {#how-to-view-settings-1}

You can view TCA in the backend:
**System > Configuration > $GLOBAL\['TCA'\] (Table configuration array)**.

For example, look at **tt_content > columns > bodytext**.

However, you will
find that neither `enableRichtext`, nor `richtextConfiguration` is set here. They
are configured in **tt_content > types** for various content types, for example
look at **tt_content > types > text > columnsOverrides**.

![](images/column_overrides.png)