How to Display the Menu Bar in WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide

WordPress is an easy-to-use content management system that allows website owners and bloggers to manage their web content with ease. However, some features may be challenging to locate or understand, like the menu bar in WordPress. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to display the menu bar in WordPress, whether you’re utilizing the classic editor or the new Gutenberg editor.

Understanding the Menu Bar in WordPress

The menu bar or navigation menu is a list of links that assists users in navigating different pages or sections of a website. It is generally located at the top of a web page, below the header and above the central content region. The menu bar can come in various formats, depending on the website’s design and total number of pages.

WordPress has inbuilt functionality that allows for the creation of custom menus. Users can create and modify navigation menus to fit their site’s design and structure. You can create menus that link to pages, blog posts, custom post types, and even external URLs.

How to Display the Menu Bar in WordPress using the Classic Editor

The classic editor is the original WordPress editor that was in operation before the Gutenberg editor’s introduction in WordPress 5.0. If you’re still utilizing the classic editor and desire to show the menu bar, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Go to Appearance > Menus

To create and edit menus, navigate to the “Appearance” menu on the left-hand side of your WordPress dashboard and click on “Menus.”

Step 2: Create a New Menu

On the “Menus” page, click on the “create a new menu” link situated on the left side of the page.

Step 3: Add Pages to the Menu

To add pages to your menu, select the pages you want to include by ticking the box adjacent to them and clicking the “Add to menu” button.

Step 4: Customize Your Menu

After adding all the pages to your menu, customize how the menu appears and functions by rearranging the menu items based on your preferences, adding links to external websites, and creating sub-menus.

Step 5: Save Your Menu

After creating and customizing your menu, save your modifications by clicking the “Save Menu” button. Your new menu will now appear on your site’s homepage.

How to Display the Menu Bar in WordPress using the Gutenberg Editor

The Gutenberg editor is the new default editor in WordPress, introduced in version 5.0 and above. It utilizes a block-based approach to content creation, making it more intuitive and easier to build web pages.

Step 1: Go to Appearance > Menus

To create and modify menus with the Gutenberg editor, navigate to the “Appearance” menu on the left-hand side of your WordPress dashboard and click on “Menus.”

Step 2: Create a New Menu

On the “Menus” page, click on the “Create a new menu” link situated on the left side of the page.

Step 3: Add Blocks to the Menu

You can add a navigation menu to a web page or post as a menu block using the Gutenberg editor. To do this, click the plus (+) button, search for “Navigation menu” under the “Layout Elements” section.

Step 4: Customize Your Menu Block

After adding the menu block, customize how it appears and functions by modifying the options in the block settings sidebar. You can pick to display the menu vertically or horizontally, specify the menu depth, and apply custom styles.

Step 5: Save Your Changes

After customizing the menu block, remember to save your modifications by clicking the “Update” button. Your new menu block will now appear on your web page.

In Conclusion

Showcasing a menu bar is an essential aspect of building a website utilizing WordPress. It makes it easier for website visitors to navigate and find the content they need. Whether you’re using the classic editor or the new Gutenberg editor, it’s easy to create a custom navigation menu. Follow the steps outlined above, and you’ll be able to show the menu bar in WordPress in no time.