Navigation module
Date: 4-Aug-2010
The following details how to create and manage the contents of a 'navigation module'.
The navigation module draws its content from existing elements within the site. For example, a navigation module in 'sections' mode is populated based on the current structure of the sections. Whereas
In essence there is a two step process. The order of the process doesn't matter.
Step 1: Create the module
The navigation module is fundamentally the same as any other module and is managed in the same way. The following are the fields in the admin for managing a Navigation Module.
Step 2: Manage the content of the module
The items that display in the navigation module are drawn from other elements of the site and so managing the contents of the navigation module depends on which 'mode' the module is set up as.
Sections
In 'sections' mode the module will list all the sub-categories of the selected parent section. The name and order of the elements in the navigation module are specified on the 'edit' page for the relevant section. To edit a section click on the 'sections' link in the main nav, and then click on the 'edit section' button next to the section you wish to edit.
Categories
In 'category' mode the module will list all the sub-categories for the selected product category. The name of the element in the navigation module will reflect the name of the category. Categories are automatically ordered in alphabetical order.
There is an option to exclude a specific category from display in a navigation module by selecting 'excluded' next to the "navigation module' on the relevant category page. To edit a category click on the 'eCart' link in the main nav, click on 'categories' in the eCart sub-navigation, and then 'edit' next to the category you wish to edit. You should end up on a page with a URL like this - /_admin/eCartAdmin/category.asp?m=
In essence there is a two step process. The order of the process doesn't matter.
- create the module
- create the elements that will appear in the module
Step 1: Create the module
The navigation module is fundamentally the same as any other module and is managed in the same way. The following are the fields in the admin for managing a Navigation Module.
Module ID | Unique ID of the module. Used to specify placement in ‘section homepages and ‘section modules’ |
Admin title: | The title that will appear in the admin only |
Display mode: | This specifies the mode for the module. The mode defines where the content for the module will be drawn from. Options are:
|
Section: | Lists all of the ‘categories’ and ‘channels’ that are set up for the site. If ‘section’ is selected as the display mode then select the relevant section from this dropdown and the module will display all the associated ‘sub-sections’ |
Show parent section: | If ‘yes’ then the name of the parent section is also displayed in the module. |
Display as: | The format of the navigation can be either ‘images’ or ‘html text’. It is rare to use images in the navigation now because it may impact on search engine rankings. If ‘text’ is selected then the name of the section will be displayed in the module as HTML text. If you do wish to display images, then you upload the images as 'navigation images' in media, and then link them into each section on the 'set up' page for each section. |
CSS option: | As with all modules an alternative style may be available. If there is an alternative style, selecting it here will apply it to the module. |
Shop category: | This dropdown will list all product categories existing in the eCart. If ‘Category’ display mode is specified then select the Category that you wish to display here and the navigation module will display all sub-categories. |
Levels displayed: | If the mode is ‘section’ then an administrator may choose to display both the associated ‘channels’ and ‘topics’ in a concertina style navigation. |
Step 2: Manage the content of the module
The items that display in the navigation module are drawn from other elements of the site and so managing the contents of the navigation module depends on which 'mode' the module is set up as.
Sections
In 'sections' mode the module will list all the sub-categories of the selected parent section. The name and order of the elements in the navigation module are specified on the 'edit' page for the relevant section. To edit a section click on the 'sections' link in the main nav, and then click on the 'edit section' button next to the section you wish to edit.
Categories
In 'category' mode the module will list all the sub-categories for the selected product category. The name of the element in the navigation module will reflect the name of the category. Categories are automatically ordered in alphabetical order.
There is an option to exclude a specific category from display in a navigation module by selecting 'excluded' next to the "navigation module' on the relevant category page. To edit a category click on the 'eCart' link in the main nav, click on 'categories' in the eCart sub-navigation, and then 'edit' next to the category you wish to edit. You should end up on a page with a URL like this - /_admin/eCartAdmin/category.asp?m=
