ASP.NET 3.5 For Dummies®

11.2. Building a Menu for Your Site

The ASP.NET Menu control works in two modes: static and dynamic. Static parts are always visible. Use them for main menu items along the top row, as shown in Figure 11-8. When items are dynamic, they appear only when triggered — usually by passing the mouse over the parent node. In Figure 11-8, Local, National, and World are dynamic items because they pop in and out (actually, they pop down and up).

Figure 11-8. News, Sports, and Weather are static items.

11.2.1. Creating a menu in the designer

You can design an ASP.NET menu by using a graphical interface with prebuilt AutoFormat styles. You add the nodes and subnodes and nudge them into the appropriate location. Follow these steps to create a menu in the designer:

1. From the Navigation section in the Toolbox, drag and drop a Menu control onto the ASP.NET or master page.

2. To make a horizontal layout (refer to 11-8), open the Properties window and set the Orientation property to Horizontal.

3. Click the Smart Tasks button, and choose Edit Menu Items.

   The Menu Item Editor opens.

4. Using the toolbar buttons, add root and child items and configure the Text and NavigateUrl properties.

   The editing technique is almost identical to creating a TreeView control. If you need details, refer to the previous section, "Creating TreeView nodes in the designer."

5. When you finish adding items, click OK.

6. Open the Properties ...