Skip to content

The Basics: The Header Navigation

 

Introduction to the header navigation

Back by popular demand, the latest Modern Campus CMS template offers a visible top navigation in addition to the standard side navigation.  Check out the display options in the carousel below. 

Please note: These options are optimal for sites with a small number of header menu items.  Too many items will cause wrapping issues and will most likely need to be shortened and/or have the header navigation feature disabled. 

 

Option 1: Header Navigation

  • Description: Menu is placed directly in the header title area. It will disappear on smaller browser windows.
  • Ideal for: Sites with a small number of menu items that will fit in the header area of approximately 800px . 
  • Example: https://websites.it.utah.edu/guides-v3/index.php

Option 2: Sub-Header Navigation

  • Description: The menu is placed below the header title area in a dark gray bar. It will disappear on smaller browser windows.
  • Ideal for: Sites with more menu items than allowed in Option 1. Area is still limited, but will allow up to 1199px wide.
  • Example:  https://gradschool.utah.edu/

Option 3: Side Navigation Only

  • Description: Similar to the V3 template with no top navigation.
  • Ideal for: Sites that have several menu items.

Customizable header colors

Default - Taupe

taupe header


Optional - University Red

red header

Distinguishing header and submenu items

The header navigation is set up like a table in Modern Campus CMS and typically mirrors what is listed in the side navigation.  Header menu items (also known as level 1 items in the side navigation) appear as header columns, with submenu items (also known as level 2 items in the side navigation) listed in the rows and columns below their corresponding headers.

On the front-end of a published site, if a header menu item is hovered over and contains submenu items, those submenu items will appear as a dropdown.  If the header menu item has no submenu, clicking it will take you directly to another web page or document.

Adding header menu items

Step 1:

On the main level of your site, navigate to /_resources/includes, and open v3-headernav.pcf.

headernav

Step 2:

To add a new header menu item, click into one of the existing columns to the right or left of where you would like the new column to appear.

existing header

 

Step 3:

Using the quick icons menu, click the appropriate icon to add the column to the left or right of your existing column.

add columns quick icon menu

Or right click and go to Column→ Insert Column After or Insert Column Before.

insert column

Step 4:

Type a name for the new header menu item. 

Please note: it is best to enter the text in title case or lowercase.  The text will format automatically in a later step.

new header column

Step 5:

Highlight the text and then use the Insert/Edit Link icon in the WYSIWYG Toolbar to incorporate a link.

link dialog box

Step 6:

Once a link has been added, the text will format automatically.

add link to header column

Step 7:

Save and publish in order to view changes.

publish button

Step 8:

Open a new browser window and test the links to verify they are working correctly.

Adding submenu items

Step 1:

On the main level of your site, navigate to /_resources/includes, and open v3-headernav.pcf.

headernav

Step 2:

To add a new submenu item, place your cursor in the cell where you would like it to appear. Then type a name for the menu item.

Please note: it is best to enter the text in title case or lowercase.  The text will format automatically in a later step.

adding a submenu item

Step 3:

Highlight the text and then use the Insert/Edit Link icon in the WYSIWYG Toolbar to incorporate a link.

link dialog box

Step 4:

Once a link has been added, the text will format in all capital letters automatically.

active link

Step 5:

Save and publish in order to view changes.

publish button

Step 6:

Open a new browser window and test the links to verify they are working correctly.

Last Updated: 1/8/24