How Do I Find the Navigation lists

 Finding the Navigation Lists in Oracle APEX

In Oracle APEX, the Navigation Bar and Navigation Menu are based on Lists. These lists define the structure and links for navigation throughout the application. To locate and manage these navigation lists, follow the steps below.

1. Accessing Navigation Lists in Shared Components

The navigation components (Navigation Menu and Navigation Bar) are stored as Lists in the Shared Components section.

Steps to Find Navigation Lists:

1. Open Your Application

• From the APEX Workspace Home Page, navigate to App Builder.

• Select the application where you want to find the navigation lists.

2. Go to Shared Components

• On the Application Home Page, click Shared Components.

3. Locate the Lists Section

• Under Navigation and Lists, click Lists.

• This will display all custom lists, including those used for Navigation Menu and Navigation Bar.

4. Identify the Navigation Lists

• The Navigation Menu is usually linked to a Tree List or a standard List.

• The Navigation Bar is typically a separate List.

• You can click on each list to review or modify its contents.

2. Finding the Navigation Menu List

To determine which List is used for the Navigation Menu:

1. Go to Shared Components > User Interface > Navigation Menu

2. Check the "Navigation Menu Type" setting: 

• If set to List, it will reference a specific List Name.

• Click the List Name to view or modify its items.

3. Modify List Entries as needed (add, remove, or reorder menu items).

3. Finding the Navigation Bar List

To locate the Navigation Bar list:

1. Go to Shared Components > Lists.

2. Look for a list named Navigation Bar (or a custom-named equivalent).

3. Click on the list to view the Navigation Bar entries, such as: 

• Login/Logout Links

• User Profile Links

• Custom Action Links

4. Finding Breadcrumbs (Optional)

Breadcrumb navigation is not automatically included but can be added later. To find or manage breadcrumbs:

1. Go to Shared Components > Navigation and Lists > Breadcrumbs.

2. Click on the Breadcrumbs Name to edit or configure breadcrumb behavior.

The Navigation Menu, Navigation Bar, and Breadcrumbs in Oracle APEX are all powered by Lists, which can be found under Shared Components > Lists. By managing these lists, developers can customize navigation elements, ensuring a structured and intuitive user experience.

Application Level Navigation lives in the application’s Shared Components > Navigation and Search

The previous lsis will display the following Navigation Bar and navigation Menu

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.