Okay, here is how you can create navigation in Confluence, incorporating various features to help users find content easily.
Creating navigation in Confluence involves using various built-in features and macros to structure, link, and present your content in an accessible way. It's less about a single "navigation object" and more about strategically using the tools available to guide users through your space.
Confluence provides several effective methods to build navigation pathways within your documentation or knowledge base:
Core Navigation Methods
Confluence offers flexible ways to implement navigation, from simple links to dynamic lists and search capabilities.
Page Hierarchy
The most fundamental navigation in Confluence is the page tree in the sidebar of each space. Organizing your pages logically under parent pages automatically creates a hierarchical navigation structure.
- Benefit: Provides a clear overview of the space's content structure.
- How to use: Simply create sub-pages under existing pages to build the tree. Drag and drop pages in the sidebar to rearrange them.
Anchor Links
For navigating within a long page or linking directly to a specific section on another page, anchor links are invaluable.
- Benefit: Allows users to jump directly to relevant information without scrolling.
- How to use: Use the Anchor macro (
/anchor) next to the text where you want the link to point. Create an anchor link next to text you want to be able to hyperlink to from another place. Then, use the Link macro (/link) and search for the anchor name within the current or another page.
Table of Contents Macro
Automatically generates a list of links to all headings on a page.
- Benefit: Provides easy internal navigation for lengthy documents.
- How to use: Insert the Table of Contents macro (
/table of contents) onto your page.
Search Macro
Embedding a search box directly on a page allows users to search specific content within your space or site.
- Benefit: Offers dynamic search functionality tailored to particular criteria.
- How to use: Use the Search macro (
/search). You can configure it to Add a search box to a page with parameters you set, like space, content type and label.
Label-Based Content Lists
Labels help categorize pages by topic. Macros can then generate lists of pages tagged with specific labels, creating topic-based navigation.
- Benefit: Groups related content together, offering alternative browsing paths based on themes rather than hierarchy.
- How to use: Apply labels to pages. Use macros like the Content Report Table (
/content report table) or Page Properties Report (/page properties report) and filter by labels. These macros can Display a navigable map of the pages tagged with a given label.
Related Page Lists (Children Display, Page Tree)
Macros like Children Display and Page Tree can list sub-pages of the current page or a specified page, guiding users to related content within the hierarchy.
- Benefit: Helps users find content immediately relevant to the page they are viewing.
- How to use: Insert the Children Display macro (
/children display) or Page Tree macro (/page tree) onto a page.
Direct Hyperlinks
The simplest form of navigation involves using the Link macro to create links to other Confluence pages, spaces, or external websites.
- Benefit: Straightforward way to connect any two pieces of content.
- How to use: Highlight text and click the link icon in the editor, or use the Link macro (
/link).
Space Shortcuts
Space administrators can add important links directly to the space sidebar, providing quick access to key pages or external resources.
- Benefit: Highlights important content or external sites for all users of the space.
- How to use: Space Settings > Look and Feel > Sidebar, Footer and Header (or Theme settings). Add shortcuts.
Choosing Your Navigation Strategy
The best approach often involves combining several methods. For a large space, use the page hierarchy for primary structure, add a Table of Contents on long pages, use labels and reports for cross-topic navigation, and add key links as Space Shortcuts.
Tips for Effective Navigation
- Keep your page titles clear and concise.
- Organize your page tree logically.
- Use labels consistently across your space.
- Add introductory pages that summarize the content within a section and include relevant navigation macros (like Children Display or Label lists).
- Regularly review and update your navigation as your content evolves.
| Method | Purpose | Example Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Page Hierarchy (Sidebar) | Organize pages in a tree structure | Structuring project documentation by phase or feature. |
| Anchor Links | Link to specific sections | Linking from an index page to sections within detailed guides. |
| Table of Contents Macro | Internal page navigation | Adding TOC to a long policy document or meeting minutes. |
| Search Macro | Dynamic content filtering | Embedding a filtered search box on a topic hub page. |
| Label-Based Lists | Group content by topic/tag | Creating a list of all "how-to" articles regardless of hierarchy. |
| Children/Page Tree Macros | Display sub-pages | Listing all child pages from a main project overview page. |
| Direct Hyperlinks | Basic linking between pages/sites | Linking related pages, or linking to external resources. |
| Space Shortcuts | Quick access to key pages/sites | Adding a shortcut to the space's main dashboard or index page. |
