TYPO3 has a backend divided into three main areas: The modules menu (left), the page tree (left/middle) and the module workarea (right). In the top frame, additional options occasionally appear and the bottom frame is used for user defined shortcuts.

The interface is optimized for 1024x768 but can be configured in a variety of ways that allows it to work efficiently at smaller screen resolutions. Furthermore, the interface is constructed to load fast and work with virtually any graphical browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera, Konqueror) on any operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux).

The Page Module is where most site editing of pages and page content is done. Selecting the module will show the architecture of the website in the Navigation Pane. The architecture is represented as a tree structure showing the relationship of pages to each other. The pages visible in the tree are ones that you have rights to access and edit. This is the module that website editors and contributers will use most.

This module shows the page architecture and then a preview of the selected web page as it will appear in the Front End. You are also able to edit page content directly on the previewed page.

The List module shows all the content records stored for the page. This is useful for viewing the records for users, content items, addresses and templates related to a page. Some extensions like the guestbook extension save records on a particular page or in a system folder; the List Module is useful for viewing and editing these records.

Access control in TYPO3 is done on multiple levels. Apart from access defined for modules, tables and tablefields, every page has an owner, group and settings for each of them. Page permissions can also be set here by Administrative users.

File management is an integral part of the system. You can configure TYPO3 to mount any path on the server and then allow certain backend users/groups to store files in those folders. Files can be uploaded, renamed, copied, moved, deleted - even edited online! Selecting an image folder enables a thumbnail view (a smaller view like those you can see on the left hand side) of the images in a folder. Other image information such as size, date of upload and file type is shown with the image.

Enables editing of Backend (BE) Users' personal setup details. Editable features include name, username, email address, password, BE language (more then 40 langauges are available) and BE layout preferences.

Creating new pages is very easy. As you create pages, TYPO3 will organize them in the hierarchy of the page tree. If you want to change your site architecture, you can simply move the pages around within the system.

Page content types are selected when adding a new content element. Page content types can be changed at any time from the pull-down 'Type' menu at the top of the content element. The two most commonly used elements are text and image elements. In one page, you can use multiple content elements.

TYPO3 features a Rich Text Editor which allows WYSIWYG editing of the web pages. This resembles Word or any other word processor so closely that users will find it extremely intuitive to operate. As an administrator, you can configure it to display your stylesheet classes and filter unwanted HTML.

When backend users are logged in, the web pages may display small control panels and 'edit icons'. These provide an intuitive, context-oriented way of editing content on directly on the web pages. If you need to edit something while browsing the website, simply click the little pencil icon near the object. It's that easy!

With the mailform wizard, you can easily add a web form with customizable fields such as text fields, radio buttons, selector boxes, file upload fields, etc.

Backend users are allowed to log into the TYPO3 backend and do permitted actions. Each user can also be a member of one or more groups and each group can include sub-groups. Groups contain the main permission settings you can set for each user. Many users can be a member of the same group and, thus, share permissions.

With the extension kickstarter wizard, the framework for new extensions can be built very easily. A basic frontend output can be created, but further coding is necessary.

Third party products can be integrated seamlessly into TYPO3. For example, the popular GPL-application, phpMyAdmin, is available by default for admin users. It is preconfigured with the current database of TYPO3 and access is managed automatically by TYPO3. phpMyAdmin allows administrators to do really low level operation of the database.

The Install Tool ensures that the installation and upgrade process of TYPO3 is easy. Each time TYPO3 releases a new version or preview, the main database structure may be altered. The Install Tool will automatically identify which changes are needed in order to upgrade the database and with a single click, those changes are performed. TYPO3 is a very comprehensive system which currently runs on nearly any PHP-enabled server. However, the more exotic features, like the powerful image generation engine requires special software. The Install Tool provides tools for analysis and bug-tracking of the installation.