The Navigation Bar and Menu

 

The basics:

Understanding Navigation in Oracle APEX

Oracle APEX provides three standard navigation components at the application level:

1. Navigation Bar

2. Navigation Menu

3. Breadcrumbs

Each serves a specific purpose in helping users navigate an application efficiently.

1. Navigation Bar

The Navigation Bar is a persistent UI element displayed at the top of every page in an APEX application. It is automatically included when an application is created.

Key Features

Always visible at the top of the page.
Typically used for global actions, such as:

• User authentication links (Login, Logout, Profile)

• Help or Documentation links

• Quick links to key pages

Customization

Developers can modify or extend the Navigation Bar by:

• Changing icons, text, and list entries.

• Controlling visibility based on user roles or conditions.

• Defining whether to display as text links or icons.

2. Navigation Menu

The Navigation Menu serves as the primary application menu, allowing users to access different pages. It is included by default when an application is created.

Display Options

The Navigation Menu can be positioned:

• On the Side (Left or Right Panel) – Often used for dashboard-style layouts.

• At the Top (Horizontal Menu) – Suitable for tab-based navigation.

Types of Navigation Menus

APEX supports two primary menu structures:

1. Lists – A simple, hierarchical menu structure.

2. Tree Lists – A collapsible, hierarchical structure ideal for complex applications.

Customization

Developers can modify the Navigation Menu by:

• Defining menu items statically (manually entered) or dynamically (fetched from a table or query).

• Controlling visibility based on user authentication or authorization levels.

• Adding icons, separators, and hierarchical submenus.

3. Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs provide contextual navigation, helping users track their current location within an application. Unlike the Navigation Bar and Menu, breadcrumbs are not included by default but can be added as the application evolves.

Key Features

• Displays a hierarchical trail of visited pages.

• Helps users navigate back to previous levels without relying on the browser’s back button.

• Typically follows a Home > Section > Page format.

Customization

Developers can:

• Define breadcrumbs manually or generate them dynamically.

• Customize their appearance using styles and templates.

• Set custom URLs for specific breadcrumb links.

Best Practices for Navigation in Oracle APEX

•  Keep Navigation Simple – Avoid cluttered menus and only include essential links.

•  Use Role-Based Access – Restrict certain navigation items based on user permissions.

•  Ensure Consistency – Maintain a uniform navigation experience across pages.

• Leverage Dynamic Menus – Use SQL queries to generate menus dynamically based on user roles or permissions.

Oracle APEX provides flexible and customizable Navigation Bar, Navigation Menu, and Breadcrumbs to enhance user experience. Developers can modify these elements to suit application requirements, ensuring intuitive, efficient navigation for users.

Both the Navigation Bar and Menu are visual representation of lists or tree lists. The developer has the ability to modify these lists and to generate them in static or dynamic manners.