Intro
Category navigation is a rarely used pattern which can be used to replace tree-like structures with only a few levels in a responsive environment. The breadcrumb control replaces the title control in the category navigation pattern.
Usage
Use category navigation if:
- You need to show categorized data in a responsive environment.
- You need to replace a tree table on tablets and smartphones, and the tree table has a maximum of five levels.
- You need to show hierarchical data with different details at each level, and thus a tree table cannot be used.
Do not use category navigation if:
-
You need only two levels, and the upper level identifies the category. In this case, use a grouped responsive table instead.
-
You need more than five levels. In this case, use a tree table.
On a smartphone or tablet device, try to display the data on just five levels. You can do this in one of two ways:- Remove unnecessary root levels.
- Offer the same items in different branches.
Responsiveness
The pattern is based on a responsive table. In contrast to the standard usage of the responsive table, the title is used for providing a breadcrumb showing the current level.
The breadcrumb control determines the text of the current/last element in the breadcrumb path. It only consists of text (string element).
The responsiveness is handled by the control: As soon as the breadcrumb gets truncated, it provides a dropdown menu to access further navigation levels.
Category navigation displayed in S size
Category navigation displayed in M size
Category navigation displayed in L size
Layout
The breadcrumb appears in the toolbar, and replaces the table title.
At any given level, the responsive table contains the individual line items, including their column header, as well as the categories available for further drilldown.
Category navigation - Layout
Components
A breadcrumb showing three levels
A breadcrumb showing the root level only
Change breadcrumb to dropdown menu if running out of screen real estate
Responsive table
Navigable container item
Leaf item not meant for navigation
Behavior and Interaction
Initial state
Drill-In on Item
Clicking an item drills into it in one of the following ways:
- The content of the responsive table is changed (if all columns are the same on the second level).
- The entire responsive table is changed (if there are different columns on the second level).
State after navigating to the second level
Navigate
The user can navigate further by using navigable items.
The breadcrumb adapts accordingly. Leafs are shown without a navigation indicator.
State after navigating to the third level
Guidelines
Drill-In on Item
Adapt the title to a breadcrumb.
Show navigation indicators if there are more levels.
State after navigating to the second level
Navigate
Navigate further by using control items.
Make sure that the breadcrumb adapts accordingly. Please be aware that leafs are shown without a navigation indicator.
State after navigating to the third level
If navigating back, show the former state
Show a dropdown menu within the breadcrumb control on small screen sizes
Show the levels of the breadcrumb inside the dropdown menu (select)
Dropdown menu on truncated breadcrumb
If navigating, just change the responsive table and the breadcrumb. Do not change anything else.
Do not navigate to another page.
Example: Drilldown with Breadcrumb Display
Placement
Place the breadcrumb control in a way that makes sense to the user. For example, if used in comination with segmented buttons, place the breadcrumb on top of the toolbar. The segmented buttons should be displayed on the very left of the toolbar. In this case, the page navigation is on an higher level as the the view switch.
Together with a tab pattern, the breadcrumb should replace the table title and and should be displayed under the tabs.
Breadcrumb with segmented buttons in hierarchy
Breadcrumb with tabs
Resources
Want to dive deeper? Follow the links below to find out more about related controls, the SAPUI5 implementation, and the visual design.
Elements and Controls
- Responsive table (guidelines)
- Link (guidelines)
- Text (guidelines)
- Select (guidelines)
Implementation
- Responsive table (SAPUI5 samples)
- Responsive table (SAPUI5 API reference)
- Link (SAPUI5 samples)
- Link (SAPUI5 API reference)
- Text (SAPUI5 samples)
- Text (SAPUI5 API reference)
- Select (SAPUI5 samples)
- Select (SAPUI5 API reference)
Visual Design
- Responsive table (visual design specification)
- Link (visual design specification)
- Select (visual design specification)