How can I create a multi-level menu in Webflow, like a Products Category with sub-items and additional categories?
TL;DR
- Add a Nav Bar with Dropdown elements and use Link Blocks or Text Links for main items like "Products."
- Nest Div Blocks inside dropdowns for submenus, style them to be hidden by default, and use Webflow Interactions to show them on hover.
- Adjust positioning, Z-index, and responsiveness; convert hover to click interactions on mobile for usability.
To create a multi-level menu in Webflow (e.g., a "Products" main item with sub-items and nested categories), you'll need to build a custom dropdown structure using Webflow's native elements and interactions.
1. Structure the Main Navigation
- Add a Nav Bar component from the Add panel if not already present.
- Inside the Nav Menu, add a Link Block or Text Link labeled "Products" (or your main category).
- Add a Dropdown element next to or under this.
2. Create Level 1 Dropdown (Main Categories)
- Inside the Dropdown List, use Link Blocks or Text Links for main product categories (e.g., Clothing, Electronics).
- To style and position these properly, ensure the Dropdown List is set to Absolute or Relative as needed.
3. Add Sub-Menus (Level 2 and Beyond)
- For any dropdown item that needs additional sub-categories, do the following:
- Nest a Div Block inside that dropdown item.
- Style it to appear as a hover-activated dropdown. Apply class names like
submenuand set it to Hidden (Display: None) initially. - Enable it to show on hover using Webflow Interactions (While Hovering).
4. Configure Interactions for Sub-Menus
- Select the parent category (e.g., "Clothing"), go to the Interactions panel.
- Create a hover interaction that:
- On Hover In: Sets the nested submenu’s Display to Block or Flex, with an animation if preferred (e.g., opacity or move).
- On Hover Out: Sets it back to Display: None after a brief delay to avoid flickering.
5. Refine and Test
- Use Z-index to ensure submenus appear above other content.
- Apply padding and positioning settings to align submenus properly under their parent items.
- Test the menu on hover and click, and across mobile breakpoints (consider converting hover to click on touch devices).
6. Make It Mobile-Friendly
- On mobile, consider using accordion-style toggles instead of hover-based opening.
- Replace hover interactions with Click triggers and set collapse/expand animations using Interactions.
Summary
To build a multi-level menu in Webflow, use Dropdown components for main and submenus, and apply custom interactions to show/hide nested content. Ensure proper styling, positioning, and responsiveness across devices for a smooth UX.