Global parameters

The Global Parameters settings define shared JEM behaviour used across frontend views, backend workflows, routing, logs, exports, attachments, recurrence generation and frontend editing forms. They are site-wide defaults and should be reviewed carefully after installing or updating JEM.

Menu items, modules, plugins, template overrides, record values and Joomla permissions can still change the result for a particular page or user. Use Global Parameters for defaults that should apply broadly across the site.

Where to Find These Options

Open the Joomla administrator and go to Components → JEM → Settings → Global Parameters.

In the current JEM 5 backend, the tab is organised into the following areas:

Global Parameters: frontend controls, icons, registration display, default event menu item, logging and map API settings.
Advanced Parameters: restricted-content display, list limits, iCalendar, first weekday, flags, attachments, defaults and CSV settings.
Edit Event: frontend event form restrictions and custom field limits.
Edit Venue: frontend venue form custom field limits.
Global Recurrence: recurrence generation horizons.
Calendar Special Days: calendar highlighting and event-blocking day types.

How Global Settings Are Resolved

When a result differs from the global value, check the configuration in this order:

JEM Global Parameters.
The active Joomla menu item's JEM options.
The event, venue or category record and its access level.
Joomla ACL, module and plugin configuration.
Template overrides and custom CSS.

A global display setting never grants permission to view, create or edit protected data. Joomla ACL and JEM ownership checks continue to apply independently.

When to Use These Settings

Use this tab when you need to define shared behaviour rather than changing one menu item or module instance.

Scenario	Recommended use	Why
Consistent frontend controls	Configure filters, limit box, icons, print, email, archive and iCalendar actions globally.	Gives visitors the same base controls across JEM list and detail views.
Restricted content should remain discoverable	Configure the locked event, venue and category access-level settings.	Selected users can see limited information with a lock icon without receiving access to protected details.
Frontend event submission	Configure venue ownership, allowed hours, minute blocks and custom field limits.	Keeps user-created events consistent and easier to review.
File uploads and data exchange	Review attachment restrictions and CSV separator, delimiter and BOM options.	Reduces upload risk and improves compatibility with spreadsheet software.
Recurring event-heavy site	Set conservative recurrence generation horizons.	Prevents generation of more future event records than the site needs.
Audited organisation	Enable Joomla User Actions Log and use diagnostic logging only when needed.	Provides accountability without retaining excessive debug data.
Holidays and closure periods	Enable Calendar Special Days and define reusable day types.	Adds consistent calendar highlighting and optional event blocking.

Global Frontend Controls and Routing

The first group establishes common frontend display and action defaults.

Option group	Purpose
Show Filter and Show Limitbox	Control the filter area and page-size selector in supported frontend lists.
Show Icons	Choose icons or alternative text where both outputs are supported.
Print, Archive, Email and iCal icons	Control common actions for printing, archives, email sharing and ICS export.
Show Time	Set the global default for displaying event times.
Display User Name	Choose whether registration-related output uses the user's name or username.
Enable Highlighter	Highlight search terms in supported event and venue result views.
Show order number	Display the numeric position beside draggable ordering controls in the backend.

A menu item can override or refine many display defaults for its own page. If only one frontend view looks different, inspect that menu item before changing the global value.

Default Event Menu Itemid

Default Event Menu Itemid lets JEM use a specific Joomla menu item when generating event detail links. This can keep layouts, module assignments, template styles and SEF URLs consistent when links originate from different parts of the site.

Enter the ID of a published Joomla menu item configured as a JEM Single Event view.
Use it when event details otherwise open with inconsistent modules or template layouts.
Leave it empty when Joomla should resolve the active menu item automatically.

Use a valid menu item ID. An incorrect or unpublished target can produce confusing routes, wrong module assignments or unexpected event detail layouts.

Logging, Audit Trail and External Services

Write Logfile: controls JEM diagnostic detail from Off to All. Use Debug or All temporarily because logs can contain operational or personal data.
Joomla User Actions Log: records supported JEM administrator actions for accountability when the JEM action log plugin is installed and enabled.
Google API Key and Client ID: enable applicable map services. Restrict credentials to the required APIs and authorised domains in Google Cloud.
Cleanup DB on Uninstall: removes JEM database data during uninstallation.

Database cleanup is destructive. Leave it disabled when uninstall and reinstall form part of an update or recovery process, and always keep a verified backup of production data.

Advanced Parameters

Advanced Parameters cover access display, lists, exports, calendar basics, flags, attachments and defaults.

Area	Main options	Operational notes
Locked content	Show locked events, venues and categories for selected access levels.	Shows limited list information with a lock icon; it does not grant access to protected detail pages.
Lists and categories	Category order, default list limit and category images.	Sets base category ordering and pagination behaviour.
iCalendar	Maximum exported items and timezone handling.	Choose floating times or associate dates with the Joomla timezone according to the target calendar workflow.
Calendar basics	First day of the week.	Choose Sunday or Monday for the site's target audience.
Flags	Flag icon folder path.	Used when country flags are displayed in JEM output.
Attachments	Folder, allowed extensions, maximum size, list layout and icon size.	Controls upload restrictions and visitor-facing attachment lists.
Defaults	Default category, venue and country.	Speeds data entry but does not replace category, event or venue ACL checks.
CSV	Separator, delimiter and UTF-8 BOM.	Applies to import, export and attendee export workflows.

Attachments

Attachment settings define which files users can upload to events or venues and how those files are presented.

Attachment Folder Path: intended writable storage path for uploaded files.
Allowed Files: explicit comma-separated extension allow-list.
Max. Filesize: maximum upload size in kilobytes.
Attachment layout: row or column display variants.
Show file icon: hide icons or select normal, medium or large icons.

Allow only the formats the site genuinely needs. Do not permit executable or otherwise unsafe file types, and remember that Joomla, PHP and the web server can impose stricter upload limits.

CSV Import and Export

CSV Separator: comma, semicolon or tab.
CSV Delimiter: none, single quote or double quote.
Insert BOM: adds a UTF-8 Byte Order Mark to improve detection by some spreadsheet applications.

Semicolon with double-quoted fields is often practical for European spreadsheet workflows, but the correct choice is the one verified with the software used by site administrators.

Frontend Edit Event and Venue

The frontend editing groups constrain the choices shown on event and venue forms.

Owned Venues: restrict the venue selector to venues owned by the current user.
Start and end hour limits: define the first and last hours available in event time selectors.
Minutes block: controls the increment used to generate minute choices.
Event and venue custom field limits: cap how many configured custom fields are available in the corresponding frontend form.

These values shape the forms but do not grant edit rights. Custom field visibility and event, venue and category operations still depend on their configuration, ownership rules and Joomla ACL.

Global Recurrence

Recurrence anticipation values define how far into the future JEM generates daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and last-day occurrences. All values are expressed in months.

Large horizons can create many event records and increase maintenance work. Use limits that reflect the site's real planning horizon and define an end date for finite series.

Calendar Special Days

Enable special days when calendar views need holidays, closures or highlighted day types. Each type can define a priority, label, colour and whether the day blocks events. Manage these values with the JEM interface rather than editing stored serialised data.

Recommended Configurations

Site type	Recommended focus	Notes
Public event calendar	Enable useful filters, list limits, iCalendar and print actions.	Visitors can browse, export and print event information consistently.
Members-only or restricted site	Review locked-content access levels and registration name display.	Restricted items can remain discoverable without exposing protected details.
Frontend submission workflow	Set venue ownership, time limits, minute blocks and custom field limits.	Creates more predictable submissions, while ACL remains the security boundary.
International site	Review Joomla and iCalendar timezones, first weekday, country default and UTF-8 CSV BOM.	Reduces ambiguity when visitors and administrators work in different locales.
File-heavy event site	Restrict extensions and file size, then review attachment layout and icons.	Improves upload safety and the visitor download experience.
Large recurring programme	Use short recurrence horizons and a bounded iCalendar item count.	Limits unnecessary records and oversized exports.
Audited organisation	Enable action logging and keep production diagnostic logging at the minimum useful level.	Balances accountability, privacy and operational storage.

Complete Configuration Reference

The table is derived from admin/models/forms/settings.xml and the current English language strings. Internal names are included for support, migration and troubleshooting. Defaults can differ on upgraded installations because existing values are preserved.

Option	Type	Default	Allowed values or condition	Practical effect
Show Locked Events `access_level_locked_events`	accesslevel	`1`	Free value or inherited setting	Select the access levels for which events should be displayed with a lock icon if the user does not have permission (restricted Access Levels). This applies to both logged-in and non-logged-in users.
Show Locked Venues `access_level_locked_venues`	accesslevel	`1`	Free value or inherited setting	Select the access levels for which venues should be displayed with a lock icon if the user does not have permission (restricted Access Levels). This applies to both logged-in and non-logged-in users.
Show Locked Categories `access_level_locked_categories`	accesslevel	`1`	Free value or inherited setting	Select the access levels for which categories should be displayed with a lock icon if the user does not have permission (restricted Access Levels). This applies to both logged-in and non-logged-in users.
Event Categories order `categories_order`	list	`0`	0 = by category ID, ascending 1 = by category ID, descending 2 = by category name, ascending 3 = by category name, descending	Define the order of categories in the list
Max ics Events `ical_max_items`	text	Not set	Free value or inherited setting	Max number of events to export in ics file
Default List Limit `display_num`	list	`10`	5 = 5 10 = 10 15 = 15 20 = 20 25 = 25 30 = 30 50 = 50 100 = 100 0 = JAll	Number of events shown on a page in frontend list views.
Show Category Images `discatheader`	radio	`0`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	Shows category images
Timezone Handling `ical_tz`	list	`0`	0 = Float 1 = Joomla	You can select here how the dates will be exported.<br>If you chose 'float', when imported, all dates will appear as being in the same timezone as the user (e.g: if the event is at 2pm in the us, and the user is in france, it will appear as being held at 2pm in france too).<br>If you use 'Joomla' timezone, they dates will be associated to the timezone set in Joomla configuration.
First Day of Week `weekdaystart`	list	`0`	0 = Sunday 1 = Monday	Select Firstweekday
Flag Icons Folder Path `flagicons_path`	text	`media/com_jem/images/flags/w80-webp/`	Free value or inherited setting	You can specify here the media path to flag icons folder
Attachment Folder Path `attachments_path`	text	Not set	Free value or inherited setting	You can specify here the path to attachment folder
Allowed Files `attachments_types`	text	Not set	Free value or inherited setting	Specify allowed file extensions, separated by comma
Max. Filesize `attachments_maxsize`	text	Not set	Free value or inherited setting	Specify maximum size of attachment files in kB (1 megabyte is 1000 kilobyte...)
Attachment layout `attachments_layout`	list	`column`	row = Row row_full = Row full width row_uniform = Row same size column = Column column_full = Column full width column_uniform = Column same size	Display attachments vertically in a column or horizontally in rows when space allows.
Show file icon `attachments_icon_size`	list	`normal`	none = JNO normal = Yes, normal icons medium = Yes, medium icons large = Yes, large icons	Choose whether attachment lists show a file type icon and how large it should be.
Default Category `defaultCategory`	catoptionsdefault	`0`	0 = No category selected	Default category selected for new events (optional)
Default Venue `defaultVenue`	modal_venue	`0`	Free value or inherited setting	Default venue selected for new events (optional)
Default Country `defaultCountry`	countryoptions	`0`	Free value or inherited setting	Default country selected for new venues (optional)
CSV Separator `csv_separator`	list	`;`	, = , (comma) ; = ; (semicolon) = \t (tab)	Separator to use in csv files for import/export and attendees export.
CSV Delimiter `csv_delimiter`	list	`"`	= (nothing) ' = ' (single quote) " = " (double quote)	Delimiter to embrace fields in csv files for import/export and attendees export.
Insert BOM for conversion to UTF-8 on export `csv_bom`	radio	`1`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	Insert BOM (Byte Order Mark) as first char to help spreadsheet software (i.e. Excel) to properly import data as UTF-8 encoded.
By days: Generate Events up to (months): `recurrence_anticipation_day`	text	`3`	Free value or inherited setting	This value in months, will be used to generate the recurring events by days: occurrence will be calculated up to current date + specified anticipation.
By weeks: Generate Events up to (months): `recurrence_anticipation_week`	text	`12`	Free value or inherited setting	This value in months, will be used to generate the recurring events by weeks: occurrence will be calculated up to current date + specified anticipation.
By months: Generate Events up to (months): `recurrence_anticipation_month`	text	`60`	Free value or inherited setting	This value in months, will be used to generate the recurring events by months: occurrence will be calculated up to current date + specified anticipation.
By years: Generate Events up to (months): `recurrence_anticipation_year`	text	`180`	Free value or inherited setting	This value in months, will be used to generate the recurring event by years: occurrence will be calculated up to current date + specified anticipation.
By last days: Generate Events up to (months): `recurrence_anticipation_lastday`	text	`60`	Free value or inherited setting	This value in months, will be used to generate the recurring event by last days: occurrence will be calculated up to current date + specified anticipation.
Show Filter `global_show_filter`	radio	`1`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	With this you can show/hide the filter
Show Limitbox `global_display`	radio	`1`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	With this you can show/hide the limitbox
Show Icons `global_show_icons`	radio	`1`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	Show the icons or use alternative text
Show Print-icon `global_show_print_icon`	radio	`1`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	Show/Hide the print icon
Show Archive-icon `global_show_archive_icon`	radio	`1`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	Show/Hide the archive icon
Show Email-Icon `global_show_email_icon`	radio	`1`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	Show/Hide the email icon
Show iCal-icon `global_show_ical_icon`	radio	`1`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	Display icon for ics export
Show Time `global_show_timedetails`	radio	`1`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	Display time
Display User Name `global_regname`	list	`1`	1 = Name 0 = Username	Choose if the name or username should be displayed
Enable Highlighter `highlight`	radio	`0`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	When enabled the search-results will be highlighted in events/venues-view (back)
Default Event Menu Itemid `default_Itemid`	text	Not set	Free value or inherited setting	Enter the ID of a 'Single Event' menu item. JEM will use this ID to define the layout and module positions for all event detail pages by default.
Write Logfile `loglevel`	list	`0`	0 = Off 1 = Error 2 = Warning 3 = Info 4 = Debug 5 = All	Writes a logfile with messages of given or higher priority. This may help to analyse problems. On normal running sites choose 'Off' which will not write anything into file.
Google API-Key `global_googleapi`	text	Not set	Free value or inherited setting	Here you can fill in your Google API3-key
Google ClientID `global_googleclientid`	text	Not set	Free value or inherited setting	Here you can fill in your ClientID (business) if you have one
Cleanup DB on Uninstall `global_cleanup_db_on_uninstall`	radio	`0`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	Decide whether all JEM tables should be removed from database if you uninstall JEM. Be warned: If set to Yes and you uninstall JEM all data like events, venues, or attendances get lost!
Start hour limit `global_editevent_starttime_limit`	list	`0`	0 = 00 1 = 01 2 = 02 3 = 03 4 = 04 5 = 05 6 = 06 7 = 07 8 = 08 9 = 09 10 = 10 11 = 11 12 = 12 13 = 13 14 = 14 15 = 15 16 = 16 17 = 17 18 = 18 19 = 19 20 = 20 21 = 21 22 = 22 23 = 23	Set the allowed start time for events, defining the first hour in which they can be scheduled.
End hour limit `global_editevent_endtime_limit`	list	`23`	0 = 00 1 = 01 2 = 02 3 = 03 4 = 04 5 = 05 6 = 06 7 = 07 8 = 08 9 = 09 10 = 10 11 = 11 12 = 12 13 = 13 14 = 14 15 = 15 16 = 16 17 = 17 18 = 18 19 = 19 20 = 20 21 = 21 22 = 22 23 = 23	Set the end time allowed for events, defining the last hour in which they can be scheduled.
Minutes block `global_editevent_minutes_block`	list	`5`	1 = 1 2 = 2 3 = 3 4 = 4 5 = 5 6 = 6 10 = 10 12 = 12 15 = 15 20 = 20 30 = 30 60 = 60	Set the time block to generate the minutes list options.
Max. # Custom Fields `global_editevent_maxnumcustomfields`	list	`-1`	-1 = JALL 0 = JNONE 1 = 1 2 = 2 3 = 3 4 = 4 5 = 5 6 = 6 7 = 7 8 = 8 9 = 9	Allows to limit the number of custom fields available in Editevent view on frontend.
Max. # Custom Fields `global_editvenue_maxnumcustomfields`	list	`-1`	-1 = JALL 0 = JNONE 1 = 1 2 = 2 3 = 3 4 = 4 5 = 5 6 = 6 7 = 7 8 = 8 9 = 9	Allows to limit the number of custom fields available in Editvenue view on frontend.
Owned Venues `global_show_ownedvenuesonly`	radio	`0`	1 = JYES 0 = JNO	Show only owned venues in select-box
Show order number `backend_show_order_numbers`	radio	`1`	`1` = Yes `0` = No	Show the numeric position next to the drag handle in backend ordering columns.
Joomla User Actions Log `actionlog_enabled`	radio	`0`	`1` = Yes `0` = No	Record selected JEM administrator actions in Joomla User Actions Log. Requires the JEM action log plugin to be installed and enabled.
Enable Special Days `calendar_special_days_enabled`	radio	`0`	`1` = Yes `0` = No	Show Special Day rules in calendar views.

After Updating JEM

Review Global Parameters after an update, especially when the site uses frontend editing, attachments, CSV or ICS exports, maps, audit logging, calendar special days or recurring events.

Confirm that default category, venue and country values are still appropriate.
Check Default Event Menu Itemid when event details open with the wrong modules, route or layout.
Review attachment paths, allowed file types, maximum size, layout and icon display.
Export a representative CSV file and open it in the spreadsheet application used by administrators.
Export a test ICS file and import it into the calendar applications used by visitors.
Review recurrence horizons before creating or editing a large recurring series.
Verify action logging and Calendar Special Days if either feature is enabled.

Troubleshooting

Event details use the wrong modules or layout

Check the Default Event Menu Itemid value.
Confirm that the referenced menu item is published and uses the JEM Single Event view.
Check Joomla SEF routing and template or module assignments for that menu item.

Attachments cannot be uploaded

Check the attachment folder path and filesystem permissions.
Check the allowed extension list.
Compare the maximum size in JEM with Joomla, PHP and web-server upload limits.

CSV columns or characters are incorrect

Try the separator expected by the target locale and spreadsheet application.
Use double quotes when fields can contain commas, semicolons or line breaks.
Enable BOM when the application does not detect UTF-8 correctly.

Recurring events create too many records

Reduce the relevant recurrence anticipation values.
Use a recurrence end date when the series is finite.
Test changes on a staging site before modifying a large production series.

Saving and Verification

Select Save and review any validation or permission warning.
Open the affected frontend view in a private browser window and as each relevant user group.
Test a representative event and venue with images, attachments, access restrictions and empty optional fields.
If the setting changes layout or assets, test desktop and mobile widths and clear Joomla and browser caches.
Record non-default values in the site's maintenance notes before an update or migration.

Code Sources

admin/views/settings/tmpl/default_parameters.php
admin/views/settings/tmpl/default_specialdays.php
admin/models/forms/settings.xml

This article documents the current JEM 5 source tree and relevant behaviour introduced or corrected in the JEM 4.4, 4.5 and 5.0 milestones. Menu-item options can override some global display defaults. Record-level values and Joomla ACL continue to apply independently.