Can Webflow achieve a dropping and lifting menu items animation similar to what is used on ___? What are the main steps to achieve this effect, and can it be done without JavaScript?
TL;DR
- Build the menu with individual items and use a trigger (e.g., hamburger icon) to control animations.
- Apply interactions to move each item from a hidden and elevated state (opacity 0, Y = -20px) to visible (opacity 100%, Y = 0) with staggered delays for dropping; reverse for lifting with optional stagger and final hide.
Yes, Webflow can achieve a “dropping and lifting” menu items animation using its built-in Interactions and Animations, without requiring custom JavaScript.
Here’s how to build that effect using Webflow’s no-code tools:
1. Create the Menu Structure
- Add a Navbar or custom menu with multiple links or items inside a container (e.g.,
nav-menu). - Each menu item (e.g.,
nav-link) should be a separate element within the parent menu structure.
2. Set Up Initial States for Animation
- With the
nav-menuhidden (e.g., display: none), create an interaction for the menu trigger (such as a hamburger icon). - Go to Page Interactions > On Click (or Mouse Hover) on the trigger element.
3. Animate Menu Appearance (Dropping Effect)
- Add a new animation in the Interactions panel when the menu opens.
- For each menu item (
nav-link), do the following: - Set Initial State: Move the item upward (e.g., Y = -20px) and set opacity to 0.
- Add an animation step: Move to Y = 0 and opacity to 100% over 300–500ms using easing like Ease Out or Ease In-Out.
- Add a stagger delay between items (e.g., 0.1–0.2 seconds each) to create a “dropping” cascade.
4. Animate Menu Disappearance (Lifting Effect)
- On menu close trigger (or reverse animation):
- Move each item up by Y = -20px again.
- Fade opacity to 0.
- Stagger timings in reverse order (optional for effect).
- Finally, hide the
nav-menuusing Display: None when the items finish animating.
5. Optional Enhancements
- To create a more dynamic effect, apply different easing curves (e.g., Bounce or Custom Cubic).
- Use Preserve 3D and Rotate settings for more advanced motion, like slight rotations or scale effects along with dropping.
Summary
You can create a dropping and lifting menu animation in Webflow without JavaScript by using Trigger-based Interactions with staggered move and opacity animations. Use initial states, easing curves, and delays to craft the motion — all natively with Webflow’s Interactions panel.