Site Navigation
Site Navigation provides a responsive foundation for navigating within Morningstar web properties and is always displayed under a Masthead.
Above 768px
Variations
Horizontal
Use to create a horizontal collection of links.
Horizontal
Subsection Dropdown Menu
Press Ctrl + C to copy
<nav class="mds-site-navigation">
<ul class="mds-site-navigation__list">
<li class="mds-site-navigation__list-item">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__list-item-inner">
<a class="mds-button mds-button--large mds-button--flat-no-background mds-site-navigation__button" href="false" role="button"> Link 1 </a>
</div>
</li>
<li class="mds-site-navigation__list-item mds-site-navigation__list-item--active">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__list-item-inner">
<div class="mds-menu">
<div class="mds-popover__wrapper">
<button class="mds-button mds-button--large mds-button--flat-no-background mds-site-navigation__button mds-popover__target" type="button" role="button">
<span class="mds-button__text"> Link 2 </span>
<svg class="mds-icon mds-button__icon mds-button__icon--right" aria-hidden="true">
<use xlink:href="/assets/icons/mds_icons.svg#caret-down--s"> </use>
</svg>
</button>
<div class="mds-popover mds-popover--width-l mds-popover--bottom-center" role="tooltip">
<div class="mds-popover__content">
<ul class="mds-list-group mds-list-group mds-site-navigation__child-list-group">
<li class="mds-list-group__item ">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Subsection 1 </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--highlighted">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Subsection 2 </span>
<svg class="mds-icon mds-list-group__active-icon" aria-hidden="true">
<use xlink:href="/assets/icons/mds_icons.svg#angle-right--s"> </use>
</svg>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item ">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Subsection 3 </span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="mds-site-navigation__list-item">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__list-item-inner">
<a class="mds-button mds-button--large mds-button--flat-no-background mds-site-navigation__button" href="false" role="button"> Link 3 </a>
</div>
</li>
<li class="mds-site-navigation__list-item">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__list-item-inner">
<a class="mds-button mds-button--large mds-button--flat-no-background mds-site-navigation__button" href="false" role="button"> Link 4 </a>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</nav>- Links use the large Flat, No Background button.
- Always include a right
caret-down--sicon when the link triggers a Menu.
- Always include a right
- Always use Menus for subsection dropdown menus.
- When the active page is a subsection, the parent link receives the active page indicator.
Vertical
Use to create a persistent left-hand vertical collection of links.
Vertical
Press Ctrl + C to copy
<nav class="mds-site-navigation mds-doc-components-examples--narrow-width mds-site-navigation--vertical">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__actions">
<button class="mds-button mds-button--flat-no-background mds-page-shell--hide-off-canvas-navigation" type="button" role="button">
<svg class="mds-icon mds-button__icon mds-button__icon--left" aria-hidden="true">
<use xlink:href="/assets/icons/mds_icons.svg#remove--s"> </use>
</svg>
<span class="mds-button__text"> Close Menu </span>
</button>
</div>
<ul class="mds-list-group">
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--highlighted">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Today </span>
<svg class="mds-icon mds-list-group__active-icon" aria-hidden="true">
<use xlink:href="/assets/icons/mds_icons.svg#angle-right--s"> </use>
</svg>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--drawer-toggle">
<input type="checkbox" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-input" id="mds-list-group__item-sublist--62114">
<label for="mds-list-group__item-sublist--62114" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle">
<svg class="mds-icon mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-icon" aria-hidden="true">
<use xlink:href="/assets/icons/mds_icons.svg#triangle-fill-down--s"> </use>
</svg>
<span class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-text">Best Investments</span>
</label>
<ul class="mds-list-group__sublist">
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Featured </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Investment Type </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Retirement & Income </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Undervalued </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Portfolio Builders </span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item ">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Your Portfolio </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item ">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Markets </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--drawer-toggle">
<input type="checkbox" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-input" id="mds-list-group__item-sublist--49718">
<label for="mds-list-group__item-sublist--49718" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle">
<svg class="mds-icon mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-icon" aria-hidden="true">
<use xlink:href="/assets/icons/mds_icons.svg#triangle-fill-down--s"> </use>
</svg>
<span class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-text">Investments</span>
</label>
<ul class="mds-list-group__sublist">
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Stocks </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Bonds </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Mutual Funds </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> ETFs </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> CEFs </span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--drawer-toggle">
<input type="checkbox" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-input" id="mds-list-group__item-sublist--27038">
<label for="mds-list-group__item-sublist--27038" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle">
<svg class="mds-icon mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-icon" aria-hidden="true">
<use xlink:href="/assets/icons/mds_icons.svg#triangle-fill-down--s"> </use>
</svg>
<span class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-text">Tools</span>
</label>
<ul class="mds-list-group__sublist">
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Basic Fund Screener </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Basic Stock Screener </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Instant X-Ray </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> More Tools </span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--drawer-toggle">
<input type="checkbox" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-input" id="mds-list-group__item-sublist--55471">
<label for="mds-list-group__item-sublist--55471" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle">
<svg class="mds-icon mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-icon" aria-hidden="true">
<use xlink:href="/assets/icons/mds_icons.svg#triangle-fill-down--s"> </use>
</svg>
<span class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-text">Personal Finance</span>
</label>
<ul class="mds-list-group__sublist">
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Family Finances </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Start Investing </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Save for College </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Save for Retirement </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Invest in Retirement </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Optimize Your Portfolio </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Minimize Taxes </span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--drawer-toggle">
<input type="checkbox" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-input" id="mds-list-group__item-sublist--80675">
<label for="mds-list-group__item-sublist--80675" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle">
<svg class="mds-icon mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-icon" aria-hidden="true">
<use xlink:href="/assets/icons/mds_icons.svg#triangle-fill-down--s"> </use>
</svg>
<span class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-text">Investing Specialists</span>
</label>
<ul class="mds-list-group__sublist">
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Christine Benz </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Russ Kinnel </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> John Rekenthaler </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Bob Johnson </span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item ">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Discuss </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item ">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Article Archive </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item ">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Membership </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--drawer-toggle">
<input type="checkbox" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-input" id="mds-list-group__item-sublist--92970">
<label for="mds-list-group__item-sublist--92970" class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle">
<svg class="mds-icon mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-icon" aria-hidden="true">
<use xlink:href="/assets/icons/mds_icons.svg#triangle-fill-down--s"> </use>
</svg>
<span class="mds-list-group__sublist-toggle-text">About Morningstar</span>
</label>
<ul class="mds-list-group__sublist">
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Company Site </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> About Us </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Careers </span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="mds-list-group__item mds-list-group__item--sublist">
<a href="#" class="mds-list-group__link">
<span class="mds-list-group__item-label"> Products </span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</nav>- Uses the List Group component and styles.
Responsiveness
Horizontal Link Size
If horizontal navigation contains many items, or the items are very long, links may be configured to switch from a large to a medium Flat, No Background Button at a specific breakpoint.
Horizontal
Press Ctrl + C to copy
<nav class="mds-site-navigation mds-site-navigation--horizontal-dynamic-font-size ">
<ul class="mds-site-navigation__list">
<li class="mds-site-navigation__list-item mds-site-navigation__list-item--active">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__list-item-inner">
<a class="mds-button mds-button--large mds-button--flat-no-background mds-site-navigation__button" href="false" role="button"> Link 1 </a>
</div>
</li>
<li class="mds-site-navigation__list-item">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__list-item-inner">
<a class="mds-button mds-button--large mds-button--flat-no-background mds-site-navigation__button" href="false" role="button"> Link 2 </a>
</div>
</li>
<li class="mds-site-navigation__list-item">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__list-item-inner">
<a class="mds-button mds-button--large mds-button--flat-no-background mds-site-navigation__button" href="false" role="button"> Link 3 </a>
</div>
</li>
<li class="mds-site-navigation__list-item">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__list-item-inner">
<a class="mds-button mds-button--large mds-button--flat-no-background mds-site-navigation__button" href="false" role="button"> Link 4 </a>
</div>
</li>
<li class="mds-site-navigation__list-item">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__list-item-inner">
<a class="mds-button mds-button--large mds-button--flat-no-background mds-site-navigation__button" href="false" role="button"> Link 5 </a>
</div>
</li>
<li class="mds-site-navigation__list-item">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__list-item-inner">
<a class="mds-button mds-button--large mds-button--flat-no-background mds-site-navigation__button" href="false" role="button"> Link 6 </a>
</div>
</li>
<li class="mds-site-navigation__list-item">
<div class="mds-site-navigation__list-item-inner">
<a class="mds-button mds-button--large mds-button--flat-no-background mds-site-navigation__button" href="false" role="button"> Link 7 </a>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</nav>Designers should determine the breakpoint at which this behavior is triggered depending on the length of the navigation items.
Hidden Menu
At 768px and below, site navigation automatically collapses into a hidden menu. Hidden menus use the vertical site navigation style and are accessible via a menu button located in the Masthead Left Controls.
Hidden Menu
Press Ctrl + C to copy
<img style="width: 100%; display: block;" src="/assets/images/components/site-navigation/[email protected]">- Hidden menu variations of horizontal site navigation that include subsection dropdown menus use List Group subsections to mirror the parent / subsection relationship.
Examples
Horizontal With Dropdowns
Morningstar.com uses horizontal site navigation with subsection dropdown menus, and switches to a hidden menu in the Masthead at the 768px breakpoint.
Morningstar.com above 768px wide.
Horizontal With Hidden Menu
Morningstar Credit Ratings uses horizontal site navigation with subsection dropdown menus and a persistent hidden menu in the Masthead. Because the navigation links are long, the .mds-site-navigation--horizontal-wide-only modifier class hides the horizontal navigation at a wider breakpoint (1024px instead of 768px).
Morningstar Credit Ratings above 1024px wide.
Vertical
The Morningstar Design System uses vertical site navigation, and switches to a hidden menu in the Masthead at the 768px breakpoint.
Morningstar Design System above 768px wide.
Guidelines
Use When
- Creating horizontal or vertical navigation for a Morningstar web property.
Don’t Use When
- Your website or application exists within another navigation wrapper, such as an
<iframe>. Site navigation should always be paired with a Masthead at the top-most level of your site or app structure. - You’re taking the user through a flow/process that requires them to visit every link in a particular order.
Visual Language
- Always position directly below a Masthead.
Behaviors
- Always pair with a Masthead component. At viewports
768pxand below, the menu button used to trigger the site navigation hidden menu is contained within the Masthead Left Controls.
Editorial
- Site navigation is built using Buttons and Menus, always follow these components’ editorial guidelines, which prize clarity over brevity.
- Each top-level navigation term should thematically represent its secondary nested menu items.
- Secondary nesting should only occur if there are two or more items in the secondary menu. If only one item, make it its own top-level navigation item or find a way to adjust other top-level navigation terms to make the item fit in a different secondary menu.
- When drafting navigation terms, work with a Content Strategist or UX designer to determine the jobs to be done by the user.
- If your navigation terms are mostly verbs, try to make them all verbs. Same goes for nouns.
Accessibility
- Always wrap site navigation in a
<nav>element as shown in code examples.
Code Reference
CSS Class References
|
Class |
Applies to |
Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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Changes the navigation layout from horizontal (default) to vertical. |
|
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Uses |
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Reveals site navigation at 1024px. Overrides default behavior, which normally reveals site navigation at 768px. |
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Adds an “active” indicator. Use to highlight the currently visited page or section. |