Add and manage submenus in your WordPress navigation menus with Gutenberg
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Today, we’ll learn how to add and manage submenus, also known as dropdown menus, in your WordPress navigation using Gutenberg
WordPress continues to evolve, offering more intuitive ways to customize your website. One of the essential features for any website is its navigation menu, acting as the roadmap for your visitors. With the Gutenberg editor, managing your site’s navigation has never been easier, especially when it comes to adding and managing submenus. Today, we’re diving into how you can enhance your WordPress navigation by incorporating dropdown menus directly through Gutenberg. Let’s get started.
Select the navigation menu
Begin by navigating to the page or post where you want to edit the navigation menu within the Gutenberg editor. Once you have your desired location, click on the navigation menu block that you wish to customize. This action will highlight the menu within the Gutenberg interface.
Access navigation settings
With your navigation menu selected, you’ll notice the “Navigation” sidebar settings appear on the right side of your screen. This sidebar is your gateway to customizing your menu’s structure and appearance, offering various options to tweak your menu to your liking.
Hover and open submenu options
Move your cursor over the menu item that you wish to expand with a submenu. As you hover, a three-dot menu (also known as the “more” menu) will become visible next to the item. This menu is the key to unlocking additional functionality for each menu item.
Add a submenu
Click on the three-dot menu adjacent to your chosen menu item, and from the popup options, select “Add submenu.” This action initiates the creation of a new submenu linked to that item, essentially creating a dropdown feature for your navigation menu.
Access and edit submenu content
Upon choosing to add a submenu, Gutenberg conveniently displays the three most recent pages from your website as quick options to include. If the pages you wish to add aren’t immediately visible, utilize the search bar within this window to locate and select the specific pages you want to feature in your submenu.
Nested submenus
For more complex navigation structures, Gutenberg allows the creation of nested submenus. For instance, after adding a “Project submenu,” you can further enhance your navigation depth by adding individual project pages within that submenu. This feature is particularly useful for sites with extensive content, helping users navigate to the exact information they’re seeking with ease.
Edit submenu labels
Sometimes, submenu labels can be lengthy, making them cumbersome within the dropdown. To address this, simply click on the submenu item you wish to modify. A new sidebar will appear, providing options to edit the link. Here, you can rename the submenu to something shorter and more user-friendly, ensuring a clean and organized appearance.
Reorder menus with drag and drop
Gutenberg’s intuitive drag-and-drop feature makes reordering your menu and submenu items a breeze. Whether you’re refining the flow of your site’s navigation or simply experimenting with different structures, the ability to quickly adjust the order of menu items without navigating through multiple settings is a significant time-saver.
The Gutenberg editor has significantly simplified the process of adding and managing submenus in WordPress. By following these steps, you can create a navigation structure that not only improves the aesthetic appeal of your site but also enhances the user experience. Effective navigation is key to keeping visitors engaged and ensuring they find the information they need with ease. Take advantage of Gutenberg’s capabilities to refine your site’s navigation, and watch as your website becomes more intuitive and accessible to your audience.
FAQs: Add and manage submenus in WordPress navigation menus with Gutenberg
1. Can I add submenus to any WordPress theme using Gutenberg?
Yes, you can add and manage submenus in your WordPress navigation using Gutenberg across most themes that support Gutenberg. However, the exact appearance and functionality may vary slightly depending on your theme’s specific features and compatibility with the latest WordPress editor.
2. How do I add a new page to a submenu?
To add a new page to a submenu, first, ensure the page you want to add is already created and published. Then, in the Gutenberg editor, navigate to your navigation menu, find the submenu where you want to add the page, click the three-dot menu next to the submenu, and select “Add submenu item.” You can then search for the page and add it to your submenu.
3. Can I create nested submenus within submenus?
Yes, Gutenberg allows for the creation of nested submenus, enabling you to build a deep and comprehensive navigation structure. Simply add a submenu to an existing submenu item by selecting the “Add submenu” option from the three-dot menu next to the item you want to expand further.
4. How can I change the label of a submenu item?
To change the label of a submenu item, click on the item within the Gutenberg editor to bring up its individual settings in the sidebar. Here, you will find an option to edit the navigation label, where you can enter a new label for your submenu item.
5. Is it possible to reorder submenu items in Gutenberg?
Yes, reordering submenu items in Gutenberg is straightforward thanks to the drag-and-drop feature. Click and hold the submenu item you wish to move, then drag it to its new position within the same submenu or even to another submenu or main menu item.
6. Can I remove a submenu item without deleting the page it links to?
Absolutely. Removing a submenu item from your WordPress navigation menu in Gutenberg does not delete the page it links to. The page remains intact on your website. To remove a submenu item, click the three-dot menu next to the item in the Gutenberg editor and select “Remove” or “Delete,” depending on the option available.
7. How do I preview my navigation changes before publishing?
In Gutenberg, you can preview your navigation changes by clicking the “Preview” button at the top of the editor. This action opens a new tab or window showing how your current changes will look on the live site, allowing you to review and adjust as necessary before making anything public.
8. What should I do if my theme doesn’t support Gutenberg submenus?
If your theme doesn’t support Gutenberg submenus, or if you’re experiencing compatibility issues, consider updating to a theme that is fully compatible with Gutenberg and its features. Many modern themes are designed with Gutenberg in mind, offering extensive support for its navigation and content editing capabilities.
9. Are there any plugins that enhance submenu functionality in Gutenberg?
Yes, several plugins are available that enhance submenu functionality in Gutenberg, offering additional styling options, animations, and complex layout capabilities. Plugins like “Max Mega Menu” or “WP Mega Menu” can provide more advanced features beyond the standard Gutenberg options.
10. How can I ensure my submenus are mobile-friendly?
To ensure your submenus are mobile-friendly, use themes and plugins that are responsive and specifically designed to adapt to various screen sizes. Additionally, test your site’s navigation on multiple devices to ensure submenu items are easily accessible and functional on smaller screens. Adjustments may be needed to optimize the user experience for mobile visitors.
WordPress itself
Official Website
wordpress.org – This is the official website for WordPress, where you can download the software, find documentation, and learn more about using it.
WordPress Codex
codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page – This is a comprehensive documentation resource for WordPress, covering everything from installation and configuration to specific functionality and troubleshooting.
WordPress Theme Directory
wordpress.org/themes – The official WordPress theme directory is a great place to find free and premium WordPress themes. You can browse themes by category, feature, and popularity.
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