Menus, navigation primary secondary

I remember having a few speechless brain-dead moments when it came to the menus, But I like it now--

Just for a start. When you create any type of content, you can send it to a menu easily. In the top area of the page to create a piece of content is a link labeled --menu settings-- , Click it open and select the menu it is to go on and give it a name. If it is to be your home page, name it Home and send it to Primary links. You can always use the path <front> for a home page. The path can be a URL-- this site has 2. buckeyelake.org and onelakesideweb.com.
I like using Primary links for main web site links, because it's uncluttered, easy and most themes have them across the top.    This site is using Primary links across the top..There's more...


Primary links(menu) = a menu set aside for main navigation of the web site. Some people use the "Navigation Menu" for everything and That's ok to.. There are many ways to do things in Drupal.

When using Primary links(menu), you may have to enable it in the theme settings.Goto:     Site building >> Themes >> Configure >> Global

  • The Primary menu is incorporated at the theme level and is ALSO available in a block. Goto:    Site building >> Blocks >> List     each block has a select list for it's position.


To manually add items to the Primary menu Goto: Site building >> Menus >> List   click ..Primary Menu.

  • You can add any items to this menu, even if it's already on some other menu such as Navigation.
  • If you were adding FAQ to the menu, The Link Button would be FAQ and the path would be "faq" for that module.
  • If you were adding a page that has a path of node/15 Then label the link button whatever, the path "node/17" and give it a description for the mouse-over text.
  • If you were adding Home to the menu. The Link Button would be HOME and the path would be "<front>" or the path of the node you are using for the front page "node/2" or "node/33".. and give it a description for the mouse-over text.
  • You can drag and drop the order of the menu buttons, just to be picky....
  • If you mess up, just go back and edit things till you have it.


Navigation Menu = a huge menu with everything on it including the kitchen sink....

  • The navigation menu is available in a block. Goto: Site building >> Blocks >> List     each block has a select list for it's position.
  • IF I NEED the menu for logged in users, but NOT for administration(because of using the admin_menu) then Goto:    Site building >> Blocks >> List     find the Navigation Menu Block and click 'configure'. On the configure page, In the "Page specific visibility settings" section, choose the radio button "Show on every page except the listed pages" and type " admin* " in the text area....save. Then the menu will be available on all pages--but not showing on any administration pages. (Most of the time, it's in the way anyway, takes up valuable real estate)
  • Used mostly for Logged-in users and administrators that don't have admin_menu installed.
  • Remember that permissions control what your USERS SEE and what they DON'T SEE.

To manually add items to the Navigation menu Goto:   Site building >> Menus >> List     click ..Navigation Menu.

  • SAME as Primary links............
  • SOME modules will automatically add a menu link to this menu.
  • If you were adding FAQ to the menu, The Link Button would be FAQ and the path would be "faq" for that module.
  • If you were adding a page that has a path of node/15 Then label the link button whatever, the path "node/17" and give it a description for the mouse-over text.
  • If you were adding About-US to the menu. The Link Button would be About Us and the path would be the path of the node for the About-Page you created "node/2" or "node/33".. and give it a description for the mouse-over text.
  • You can drag and drop the order of the menu buttons, just to be picky....


Secondary Menu = a menu that you can use for any purpose.

When using Secondary links(Menu), you may have to enable it in the theme settings.Goto:     Site building >> Themes >> Configure >> Global

  • The Secondary Menu is incorporated at the theme level and ALSO available in a block. Goto:    Site building >> Blocks >> List     each block has a select list for it's position.

To manually add items to the Secondary menu Goto:   Site building >> Menus >> List     click ..Secondary Menu.

  • SAME as Primary links............
  • You can add any items to this menu, even if it's already on some other menu such as Navigation.
  • If you were adding FAQ to the menu, The Link Button would be FAQ and the path would be "faq" for that module.
  • If you were adding a page that has a path of node/15 Then label the link button whatever, the path "node/17" and give it a description for the mouse-over text.
  • If you were adding Home to the menu. The Link Button would be HOME and the path would be "<front>" or the path of the node you are using for the front page "node/2" or "node/33".. and give it a description for the mouse-over text.
  • You can drag and drop the order of the menu buttons, just to be picky....


I am sure I could get into details on the menu subject, but this is the basics...
Questions-- just ask...

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