Sidnavigering

Sidnavigering, or side navigation, is a navigational user interface pattern that presents a vertical list of links along the side of a webpage. It is commonly used in dashboards, documentation sites, and long-form content to provide quick access to sections, subsections, or related pages. Sidnavigering complements top navigation and breadcrumbs by offering persistent, contextual navigation within a given area of content.

A typical sidnavigering structure uses a nav element with an appropriate label, often containing an unordered list of links. Submenus may be nested to reflect content hierarchy. In visual design, the sidebar is usually fixed or sticky on larger screens to remain visible as the user scrolls, while still allowing the main content to scroll independently.

Accessibility is a key consideration. Sidnavigering should be keyboard accessible, with clear focus indicators and logical tab order. The active link should be distinguishable, and expandable groups should convey their state to screen readers with ARIA attributes. Proper color contrast and the ability to skip the navigation for assistive technologies are also important.

Responsive behavior is common for sidnavigering. On small screens, the sidebar may collapse into an off-canvas drawer or be hidden behind a toggle button to maximize content space. Responsive techniques typically involve CSS positioning, flexible widths, and optional JavaScript to manage visibility and focus.

Variants include vertical sidnavigering versus secondary navigation, and different styling to fit administrative dashboards, documentation portals, or content-heavy sites. Best practices emphasize clarity, manageable depth, and mobile usability to avoid overwhelming the user while maintaining quick access to relevant sections.