Understanding app menu | Zoho Creator Help

Understanding app menu

1. In a nutshell

The app menu in Zoho Creator allows visual and logical grouping of your application components(such as forms, reports, and pages), making navigation intuitive for users. The app menu can be customized through the app menu builder in edit mode. This tool allows you to rename, assign icons, and organize components using a simple drag-and-drop interface. By structuring the menu effectively, you can group components by their purpose, ensuring easier access and improved usability for users.

2. Availability

  1. Available in all plans of Creator.
  2. Can be accessed by super admins, admins and developers.

3. Overview

The app menu in any application is the main navigational interface that organizes and displays the different components of an application. This is especially useful for applications with numerous modules, as it enhances user experience with a clear menu layout.
In Zoho Creator, the app menu allows users to navigate between various components of the application, such as forms, reports, and pages. The app menu can be customized using the app menu builder, which allows you to organize the components in your application with a simple drag and drop interface. 

3.1. App menu builder

You can construct your own app menu using the different segments in the app menu builder, such as 
  1. Space - A space is used to organize various components and elements within an application. Multiple spaces can be created, and in live mode, when a user selects a specific app menu space, only the components arranged within that space will be displayed. If an application component is not added in any space, it will remain hidden.
Notes
Note: 
  1. An application component can reside in only one space at a time, and if it is not added to any space, it will remain hidden.
  2. When you create an application component it will be added to a space by default. 
  1. Components - Components in the application are of two types:
    1. User Components - Represents the application components such as forms, reports, and pages in the application.
    2. System Components - Components which allow users to modify user-specific application configurations while accessing the application in the live mode, such as
      1. Language Selection - Users can change the application language on the user interface by selecting from the list of languages configured by the admin or developer in localization.
      2. Connection - Allows user to view, switch, and revoke connections used in the application.
      3. Approvals - Admins or developers can assign users as approvers while configuring an approval workflow, allowing these approvers to access this component to approve or reject records.
      4. Reports - Allows users with the Create Report permission configured by the admin to create reports directly from the live application. 
      5. NotesNote: System Components will be displayed in live mode for users only after the necessary configurations are completed. For example, the Connection component, which allows users to view, switch, and revoke connections used in the application, will only be visible in the defined space if at least one connection is available in the application.
  2. Elements - Containers or separators that can be used to visually customize the app menu.

 

Element
Representation in app menu builder
Description
Section
Creates a group of one or more components within a space.
Break

Inserts an invisible space to separate two components or elements within a space or section.
Line

Inserts a visible line between components or elements within a space or section.
Title

Inserts a title between components or elements within a space or section.
Title with Line

Inserts a title accompanied by a line between components or elements within a space or section.

You can add application components to an app menu space and group them in a section to display them in separate divisions inside the space. You can also create different spaces for different components according to your requirements.

3.2. Navigation guide to app menu builder


3.3. See how it works


3.4. Business use case

Let's consider a Zoho Creator CRM application, where you have different components such as campaign forms, lead generation reports, analytics pages, contact forms, sales pipelines, deal tracking reports, and so on. By using the menu builder, you can organize this app menu in the builder as shown in the image below.

The respective user can access the Marketing or Sales pace to view the menu related to them, focusing only on their work modules. The final view of the app menu in the live mode for the example mentioned is shown below.
  1. In Marketing Space

  2. In Sales Space

4.  App menu on various devices

Notes
Note: 
  1. The position and appearance of the app menu might differ depending on the application theme used.
  2. The app menu can be customized individually for different devices, such as web, phone, or tablet, allowing you to design specific menus for each device. Learn how to configure app menu for different devices
The images below show the illustration of how the app menu looks like in your Creator application when accessed via: 
  1. Web browser

  2. Phone

  3. Tablet

5. Points to note

  1. An application component can only reside in one space at a time.
  2. Spaces and sections will not be visible while accessing the application if they do not contain any application components.
  3. For your convenience, when you create an application from scratch, the app menu will be in sync with all devices. For example, the app menu configuration made on the web will be automatically reflected to both mobile and tablet devices. Once you click the app menu builder icon for mobile or tablet, any future changes to the web version will not affect the mobile/tablet layout.
  4. The visibility of certain elements in the app menu depends on the application theme you've chosen.
  5. System components will only be visible after the configurations have been completed by admins or developers, allowing users to access them from the app menu in the live mode of the application.
  6. The Creator mobile application version must be up-to-date to access the app menu feature.
  1. Configuring and managing app menu

    Access your files securely from anywhere

      Zoho CRM Training Programs

      Learn how to use the best tools for sales force automation and better customer engagement from Zoho's implementation specialists.

      Zoho CRM Training
        Redefine the way you work
        with Zoho Workplace

          Zoho DataPrep Personalized Demo

          If you'd like a personalized walk-through of our data preparation tool, please request a demo and we'll be happy to show you how to get the best out of Zoho DataPrep.

          Zoho CRM Training

            Create, share, and deliver

            beautiful slides from anywhere.

            Get Started Now


              Zoho Sign now offers specialized one-on-one training for both administrators and developers.

              BOOK A SESSION





                          Quick LinksWorkflow AutomationData Collection
                          Web FormsEnterpriseBegin Data Collection
                          Interactive FormsWorkplaceData Collection App
                          CRM FormsCustomer ServiceAccessible Forms
                          Digital FormsMarketingForms for Small Business
                          HTML FormsEducationForms for Enterprise
                          Contact FormsE-commerceForms for any business
                          Lead Generation FormsHealthcareForms for Startups
                          Wordpress FormsCustomer onboardingOrder Forms for Small Business
                          No Code FormsConstructionRSVP tool for holidays
                          Free FormsTravel
                          Prefill FormsNon-Profit

                          Intake FormsLegal
                          Mobile App
                          Form DesignerHR
                          Mobile Forms
                          Card FormsFoodOffline Forms
                          Assign FormsPhotography
                          Mobile Forms Features
                          Translate FormsReal EstateKiosk in Mobile Forms
                          Electronic Forms

                          Notification Emails for FormsAlternativesSecurity & Compliance
                          Holiday FormsGoogle Forms alternative GDPR
                          Form to PDFJotform alternativeHIPAA Forms
                          Email Forms
                          Encrypted Forms
                          Embeddable Forms
                          Secure Forms
                          Drag & drop form builder
                          WCAG



                                            You are currently viewing the help pages of Qntrl’s earlier version. Click here to view our latest version—Qntrl 3.0's help articles.




                                                Manage your brands on social media


                                                  • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                  • Digest


                                                  • Functions


                                                  • Meetups


                                                  • Kbase


                                                  • Resources


                                                  • Glossary


                                                  • Desk Marketplace


                                                  • MVP Corner


                                                  • Word of the Day


                                                  • Ask the Experts


                                                    Zoho Marketing Automation

                                                      Zoho Sheet Resources

                                                       

                                                          Zoho Forms Resources


                                                            Secure your business
                                                            communication with Zoho Mail


                                                            Mail on the move with
                                                            Zoho Mail mobile application

                                                              Stay on top of your schedule
                                                              at all times


                                                              Carry your calendar with you
                                                              Anytime, anywhere




                                                                    Zoho Sign Resources

                                                                      Sign, Paperless!

                                                                      Sign and send business documents on the go!

                                                                      Get Started Now




                                                                              Zoho TeamInbox Resources



                                                                                      Zoho DataPrep Resources



                                                                                        Zoho DataPrep Demo

                                                                                        Get a personalized demo or POC

                                                                                        REGISTER NOW


                                                                                          Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                          Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                          Get Started Now









                                                                                                              • Related Articles

                                                                                                              • Configuring and managing app menu

                                                                                                                1. What does this page cover? Learn how you can configure the app menu to display your application's components in an organized fashion. Make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the app menu before you move ahead. 2. Availability Available ...
                                                                                                              • Manage Sections in Application

                                                                                                                Refer to this page to learn about sections. You can customize certain aspects of sections at the device level, including browser, phone, and tablet modes. Zoho Creator supports over 2000+ built-in icons that you can use for various components in your ...
                                                                                                              • Modes of an application

                                                                                                                Overview Zoho Creator has two modes through which you can establish an application from start to finish. You can create an application from scratch or from a template and customize it according to your needs in an app-building space. During that ...
                                                                                                              • Manage Application Summary

                                                                                                                The application summary page is a cumulative view of the application in Zoho Creator. This page serves as a common navigation point to branch out into various modules and perform actions relevant to those modules from here, and view the details ...
                                                                                                              • Understand Application Sections

                                                                                                                Sections display the components in your application in separate divisions. This provides your users with a visual and logical grouping of your application components, which makes navigation easier. When you access your Creator application, you will ...
                                                                                                                Wherever you are is as good as
                                                                                                                your workplace

                                                                                                                  Resources

                                                                                                                  Videos

                                                                                                                  Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                  eBooks

                                                                                                                  Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                  Webinars

                                                                                                                  Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho CRM basics, from customization to sales force automation and more.



                                                                                                                  CRM Tips

                                                                                                                  Make the most of Zoho CRM with these useful tips.



                                                                                                                    Zoho Show Resources