How can I create a scrolling navbar in Webflow that changes color based on the section?
TL;DR
- Structure the page with a fixed navbar and uniquely ID’ed sections, each with distinct background colors.
- Use Webflow’s "While scrolling in view" interaction on each section to trigger background color changes on the navbar.
To create a scrolling navbar in Webflow that changes color based on the section, you'll need to use interactions and section-based triggers. Here's how to set it up step-by-step.
1. Structure Your Page Appropriately
- Create a Navbar (use Webflow’s built-in Navbar component or your own custom div).
- Place it at the top of your Body and Set it to Fixed (e.g., fixed to top).
- Give your sections unique IDs (e.g.,
section-one,section-two, etc.). - Add different Background Colors to each section to see the color change more clearly.
2. Set Up the Navbar Color Change using Interactions
- Go to the Interactions panel (⚡ icon).
- Click on the first section (for example,
section-one). - Click + Element Trigger > While scrolling in view.
- Set it to Affect: Navbar.
- Choose Scroll into view and set an animation (e.g., change navbar background to white).
- Choose Scroll out of view and set another animation (e.g., change navbar background to black).
Repeat this process for each section:
- For
section-two, create a new scroll trigger that changes the navbar to a different color when it comes into view.
3. Use Webflow Animations for Color Change
- Create Color Change animations using the animation timeline.
- Add Background color style changes to match the section’s design.
- Configure easing and duration settings for smooth transitions.
- Make sure to reuse the same Navbar element so all triggers apply to it.
4. Test Layer Order and Visibility
- Ensure your Navbar has a high z-index so it stays on top of sections.
- If using gradients or transparencies, double-check for contrast and legibility.
5. Optional: Create a Universal Navbar Symbol
- If you're using this across multiple pages, convert the Navbar to a Symbol and reuse it.
- Just repeat the interaction settings per page, as interactions aren't shared across pages.
Summary
To change a navbar's color based on scroll position, apply scroll-based interactions to each section that target the fixed navbar and change its background color when the section comes into or exits the viewport. Use the While scrolling in view trigger and Webflow’s animation tools for smooth transitions.