Atlas workspaces include a number of helpful UI elements to help users navigate and interact with the system. In this article we will explain all the elements Atlas adds - both navigation components and Atlas tools and general UI elements.
In this article:
Navigating Workspaces
Atlas deployments are made up of one or more Workspaces including Communications, Knowledge and Collaboration Workspaces. Navigation elements such as the Global Navigation provide the same set of navigation items across all areas, so it brings the whole system together into a single virtual architecture.
Navigation components for Atlas include:
Atlas Header
As well as the Microsoft 365 and SharePoint UI, Atlas has a few specific UI components contained within the "Atlas Header":
Logo
The logo on the far left of the Atlas Header can be used from any part of Atlas to get back to the system homepage. The logo will usually be configured to your own brand. A different logo URL can be configured for external users if required, see here: Atlas Extranet Features
Launchpad
The Launchpad is found on the left hand side of the Atlas Header and is used to provide links to tools outside of Atlas that can be loaded in a web browser. You can use the search box to filter down the items if you wish:
To learn how to configure the links in the Launchpad, please see Managing Launchpad items
Administrators can change the icon for the Launchpad for each language by following the article here: Configure iconography for Atlas Header items, or highlight the Launchpad option in the header by following: Configure highlighting for Atlas header options
Global Navigation
The Global Navigation is implemented as either a "hover menu" or "mega menu" style to the right of the Launchpad button. The Global Navigation can be configured to provide a deep dive into the available content in your Atlas system without the user having to click into different sections to see what they contain. On mobile it is accessed using the “hamburger” icon (bottom left).
Below you can see the Global Navigation using the "hover menu" style with up to 5 total levels:
The "mega menu" style only supports up to 3 levels but may be more understandable for your users. You can learn more about this choice by reading Global Navigation item limits and behaviour
The mega menu shows all information for each top level area ("Departments" in the example below) on hover rather than requiring the user to hover in each level to open the subsection. See an example below:
Feedback panel
The feedback panel has been moved from the Footer to the Header to make it more obvious and accessible for users. It can be found by clicking the "speech bubble" icon:
This will load a panel underneath the button allowing the user to choose a feedback subject, write their message and submit it by clicking Post:
"My Atlas" Menu
The "My Atlas" menu can be accessed using the Atlas (A) button in the top right of the page:
The following options are available - you can find out more about configuring your Preferences by clicking here: Personalisation Features - and more about configuring My Links by clicking here: My Links
Some users with elevated permissions for certain features will also see a Settings menu here which could include the following:
At the bottom of the Atlas menu there is a Clear cache button which can be used to help resolve issues with the site, and just underneath you can see the current Atlas version number:
The main reason to clear the cache is to ensure you have the latest Global Navigation menu, but our support team may recommend clearing your cache to help resolve other issues.
Add It
Add It can be accessed by clicking the + button in the top right of the page:
This is where you can go to contribute to Atlas. Using Add It is covered in a number of articles but you can get started here: Add It
Atlas Search
The Atlas Search panel can be accessed by clicking the magnifying glass icon in the top right:
Clicking this will open the Atlas Search panel on the right of the screen. You can find out more about the Search options available by clicking here: Searching for content
Header Highlighted Items (Administrator Setting)
It is possible for an Administrator to configure brand colours to sit on-top of the Atlas standard main menu options, such as the examples below. This helps draw attention to the option, whether this is the Launchpad to help guide users, or other options depending on your priorities for guiding users.
In the example below the Launchpad and My Atlas buttons are configured with a teal highlight:
Administrators looking to configure this feature can learn about it here: Configure highlighting for Atlas header options
Atlas Footer
The Atlas Footer has 2 main sections; Simple Links (left hand side) and Social Links (middle). The links can be configured from the Atlas Configuration site in your tenant.
As users scroll through the page the footer stays pinned to the bottom of the screen, but it can be hidden by clicking the arrow just above and to the right of the footer itself.
To learn how to manage the information in the Footer please click here: Configure Footer links and Feedback
Left-hand Navigation
In Atlas, pages in Knowledge Workspaces will display the Microsoft SharePoint secondary navigation menu on the left-hand side which can be configured to provide links to related pages and content. This is not available in Communications Workspaces.
The element is highlighted in red below. Workspace owners can click the Edit button at the bottom of this menu to customise it and add / remove links.
Additionally, this can be moved to the top of the screen (to the right of the workspace title) by going to your Site Settings > Change the look > Navigation and setting it to "Horizontal":
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.