Navigation - Search Bar

The Search Bar Navigation component is a powerful UX tool that provides users with a direct interface to query and locate data within the application. Unlike static links, the Search Bar is dynamic, allowing for rapid retrieval of records, views, or pages, which significantly improves usability for data-heavy applications.

Table of Contents

• Types of Navigation Components
• Create and Configure a Navigation Component
• Common Configurations

Types of Navigation Components

SnapApp offers various navigation elements such as Dashboards, Custom Views, and Groups. The Search Bar is a unique component that acts as a global or contextual discovery tool. It is often used as a primary interaction point in applications containing large volumes of objects or documentation.

Create and Configure a Navigation Component

Configuring a Search Bar follows the standard SnapApp workflow, accessible via the application’s UX settings.

1. Access the Navigation Builder

1. Open Application Settings.
2. Select the drop-down from the left navigation panel under UX.
3. Click on Navigation.
4. Click the Add New button from the right-hand side of the list view.

2. Configure the Search Bar

Once you select the Search Bar navigation type, you must define its functional parameters:

1. Name: Provide a proper name, such as “Global Search” or “Record Finder”.
2. Description: Enter a brief explanation of what the search bar indexes (e.g., “Search across all sales and client records”).
3. Icon: Choose an appropriate icon, typically the magnifying glass.
4. Status: Select the status as Active to make the search bar visible to your users.

Common Configurations

Deciding where the Search Bar sits and who can see it is crucial for a clean user interface.

1. Choosing a Position

The Search Bar’s effectiveness depends heavily on its placement:

• Top Nav: This is the most common position for a “Global Search”. It remains visible across different application states, allowing users to search regardless of which page they are on.
• Left Nav: Useful for secondary or contextual searches that apply only to specific modules.

2. Visibility Logic (Show If)

To maintain a high-quality UX, use the Show If field to control visibility. For example, if you have a search bar specifically configured to query sensitive financial objects, you can insert a SnapApp expression to ensure only users with “Finance” roles can see that specific navigation element.

Note: The Search Bar relies on the underlying object permissions. Users will only be able to find and view search results for data they are authorized to see based on their assigned permission sets.