Create Horizontal Navigation Menu With Drop Down Submenus Using CSS

The following drop down menu is made only with CSS, is a horizontal menu with sub-tabs and the right side has a rounded search. A menu is handy for those who do not require complex menus or prefer not to use one that requires scripts and/or too many images, also the installation and customization is quite simple, and to top it off is quite functional.

To see this drop down menu in action, visit this demo blog

blogger menu, drop down menu, css menu

Prior to doing anything, if you are using a Template made through Blogger Template Designer, then you should consider doing these changes in the template, otherwise the menu might not be displayed correctly:

From your Blogger's Dashboard, go to Template (make a backup < see the screenshot) > Edit HTML:


and search (CTRL + F) for the following line:

<b:section class='tabs' id='crosscol' maxwidgets='1' showaddelement='yes'>

Screenshot

Remove the code in red.
You may have many parts as the one in red, delete all you find.

....then find this section in your template:
/* Tabs
----------------------------------------------- */

...and remove all that is within it, until you reach to the Headings part.

/* Tabs
----------------------------------------------- */
.tabs-outer {
overflow: hidden;
position: relative;
background: $(tabs.background.color) $(tabs.background.gradient) repeat scroll 0 0;
}

#layout .tabs-outer {
overflow: visible;
}

.tabs-cap-top, .tabs-cap-bottom {
position: absolute;
width: 100%;

border-top: 1px solid $(tabs.border.color);

}

.tabs-cap-bottom {
bottom: 0;
}

.tabs-inner .widget li a {
display: inline-block;

margin: 0;
padding: .6em 1.5em;

font: $(tabs.font);
color: $(tabs.text.color);

border-top: 1px solid $(tabs.border.color);
border-bottom: 1px solid $(tabs.border.color);
border-$startSide: 1px solid $(tabs.border.color);
}

.tabs-inner .widget li:last-child a {
border-$endSide: 1px solid $(tabs.border.color);
}

.tabs-inner .widget li.selected a, .tabs-inner .widget li a:hover {
background: $(tabs.selected.background.color) $(tabs.background.gradient) repeat-x scroll 0 -100px;
color: $(tabs.selected.text.color);
}
/* Headings
----------------------------------------------- */

Then add this to where the code has been removed (instead of the code in green):
#crosscol ul {z-index: 200; padding:0 !important;}
#crosscol li:hover {position:relative;}
#crosscol ul li {padding:0 !important;}
.tabs-outer {z-index:1;}
.tabs .widget ul, .tabs .widget ul {overflow: visible;}
Having done this, we can finally add our menu.

How To Add Horizontal Drop Down Menu to Blogger

To put this horizontal menu with submenus in your blog, then follow the next steps:

Step 1. From Template, go to Edit HTML and just above ]]></b:skin> paste these styles:
/* Horizontal drop down menu
----------------------------------------------- */
#menuWrapper {
width:100%; /* Menu width */
height:35px;
padding-left:14px;
background:#333; /* Background color */
border-radius: 10px; 
}
.menu {
padding:0;
margin:0;
list-style:none;
height:35px;
position:relative;
z-index:5;
font-family:arial, verdana, sans-serif;
}
.menu li:hover li a {
background:none;
}
.menu li.top {display:block; float:left;}
.menu li a.top_link {
display:block;
float:left;
height:35px;
line-height:34px;
color:#ccc;
text-decoration:none;
font-family:"Verdana", sans-serif;
font-size:12px; /* Font size */
font-weight:bold;
padding:0 0 0 12px;
cursor:pointer;
}
.menu li a.top_link span {
float:left;
display:block;
padding:0 24px 0 12px;
height:35px;
}
.menu li a.top_link span.down {
float:left;
display:block;
padding:0 24px 0 12px;
height:35px;
}
.menu li a.top_link:hover, .menu li:hover > a.top_link {color:#fff; }
.menu li:hover {position:relative; z-index:2;}
.menu ul,
.menu li:hover ul ul,
.menu li:hover ul li:hover ul ul,
.menu li:hover ul li:hover ul li:hover ul ul,
.menu li:hover ul li:hover ul li:hover ul li:hover ul ul
{position:absolute; left:-9999px; top:-9999px; width:0; height:0; margin:0; padding:0; list-style:none;}

.menu li:hover ul.sub {
left:0;
top:35px;
background:#333; /* Submenu background color */
padding:3px;
white-space:nowrap;
width:200px;
height:auto;
z-index:3;
}
.menu li:hover ul.sub li {
display:block;
height:30px;
position:relative;
float:left;
width:200px;
font-weight:normal;
}
.menu li:hover ul.sub li a{
display:block;
height:30px;
width:200px;
line-height:30px;
text-indent:5px;
color:#ccc;
text-decoration:none;
}
.menu li ul.sub li a.fly {
/* Submenu Background Color */
background:#333 url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7g90bSQruSkGnnaf4wZ9XFqotg7AmwQ7mI9OpBZuTT_54l7JZuK77fqPSdZ7AEZ2sgTgVIi9ua8SNgSkEE2HmiY5pT_wALLQ_DnKlf7DIkvKy9YX1o3cR9mY1k6pqKxbZSLGJMRy8Cg/s1600/arrow_over.gif) 185px 10px no-repeat;}
.menu li:hover ul.sub li a:hover {
background:#515151; /* Background Color on mouseover */
color:#fff;
}
.menu li:hover ul.sub li a.fly:hover, .menu li:hover ul li:hover > a.fly {
/* Background on Mouseover */
background:#646464 url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7g90bSQruSkGnnaf4wZ9XFqotg7AmwQ7mI9OpBZuTT_54l7JZuK77fqPSdZ7AEZ2sgTgVIi9ua8SNgSkEE2HmiY5pT_wALLQ_DnKlf7DIkvKy9YX1o3cR9mY1k6pqKxbZSLGJMRy8Cg/s1600/arrow_over.gif) 185px 10px no-repeat; color:#fff;}

.menu li:hover ul li:hover ul,
.menu li:hover ul li:hover ul li:hover ul,
.menu li:hover ul li:hover ul li:hover ul li:hover ul,
.menu li:hover ul li:hover ul li:hover ul li:hover ul li:hover ul {
left:200px;
top:-4px;
background: #333; /* Background Color of the Submenu */
padding:3px;
white-space:nowrap;
width:200px;
z-index:4;
height:auto;
}
#search {
width: 228px; /* Width of the Search Box */
height: 50px;
float: right;
z-index: 2;
text-align: center;
margin-top: 5px;
margin-right: 6px;
/* Background of the Search Box */
background: url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w-LXlnROjh2Ze3YyriHEC8wD3Rn52s5_iHI2YRxpOTDrdfl2EuJjOvvOZq366ax8XeFdNvL0nT-difl7OS9lJmjcTDF4zRxKm9ykZ1duERtH2JoIkReqnDE4En3Y_calWyNowytdkjw/s1600/searchBar1.png) no-repeat;
}
#search-box {
margin-top: 3px;
border:0px;
background: transparent;
text-align:center;
}


Screenshot
Step 2. Save the Template


Step 3. Go to Layout > click on Add a Gadget link


Step 4. Choose HTML/Javascript and paste the following inside the empty box:

<div id='menuWrapper'>
<ul class='menu'>
<li class='top'><a class='top_link' href='Link URL'><span>Title 1</span></a></li>

<li class='top'><a class='top_link' href='Link URL'><span class='down'>Title 2</span></a><ul class='sub'><li><a class='fly' href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.1</a><ul>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.1.1</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.1.2</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.1.3</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class='mid'><a class='fly' href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2</a>
<ul>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2.1</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2.2</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2.3</a></li>
<li><a class='fly' href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2.4</a>
<ul>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2.4.1</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2.4.2</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2.4.3</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2.5</a></li>
<li><a class='fly' href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2.6</a>
<ul>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2.6.1</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.2.6.2</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.3</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.4</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 2.5</a></li>
</ul>
</li>

<li class='top'><a class='top_link' href='Link URL'><span class='down'>Title 3</span></a>
<ul class='sub'>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 3.1</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 3.2</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 3.3</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 3.4</a></li>
</ul>
</li>

<li class='top'><a class='top_link' href='Link URL'><span class='down'>Title 4</span></a>
<ul class='sub'>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.1</a></li>
<li><a class='fly' href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.2</a>
<ul>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.2.1</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.2.2</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.2.3</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.2.4</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.2.5</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.2.6</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.3</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.4</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.5</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 4.6</a></li>
</ul>
</li>

<li class='top'><a class='top_link' href='Link URL'><span class='down'>Title 5</span></a>
<ul class='sub'>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 5.1</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 5.2</a></li>
<li><a href='Link URL'>Submenu 5.3</a></li>
</ul>
</li>


<!-- Search Bar -->
<li>
<form action='/search' id='search' method='get' name='searchForm' style='display:inline;'>
<input id='search-box' name='q' onblur='if (this.value == &quot;&quot;) this.value = &quot;Search here...&quot;;' onfocus='if (this.value == &quot;Search here...&quot;) this.value = &quot;&quot;;' size='28' type='text' value='Search here...'/></form>
</li>

</ul>
</div>

Customization:

- replace the text in blue and red with your links and titles.
- if you need more tabs, then add a line like this just above <!-- Search Bar -->

<li class="top"><a href="Link URL" class="top_link"><span>Title</span></a></li>

- if you want to add a tab with sub-tabs, then add this code:

<li class="top"><a href="Link URL" class="top_link"><span class="down">Title</span></a>
<ul class="sub">
<li><a href="Link URL">Submenu Title</a></li>
<li><a href="Link URL">Submenu Title</a></li>
<li><a href="Link URL">Submenu Title</a></li>
</ul>
</li>

- and if you want one of the other sub-tabs have sub-tabs then remove a line like the one in orange and change it to a code like this:

<li><a href="Link URL" class="fly">Submenu Title</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="Link URL">Other Submenu</a></li>
<li><a href="Link URL">Other Submenu</a></li>
<li><a href="Link URL">Other Submenu</a></li>
</ul>
</li>

And that's it! Now Save your Widget and enjoy your new drop down menu! ;)
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How To Use The New Blogger HTML Editor

The Blogger template editor now includes a number of changes that seem interesting and make it much more friendly than it was.

To begin with, what we see now is all the template's code starting with numbered and colored lines showing us different code snippets: tags, variables, properties, etc.. depending on the HTML, CSS, JavaScript and even the language of Blogger - include, b:if and other occurrences.

blogger template, blogger tricks, blogger widgets

This is what any decent external editor does, but certainly, from now on it will be much easier to find that little bug that drives us crazy when we omit quotation marks or add one more semicolon. This also applies to CSS, which appears mostly in dark blue without distinguishing selectors and rules, but the rest is a major improvement.

Another great help are the numbers that appear in front of each fragment of code, so that we can easily pinpoint and correct errors of this type: "Error parsing XML, line 103, column 9: The element ... "

Using the New Blogger Template HTML Editor

When you want to search for a code in the HTML editor, click inside the editor and press CTRL + F on your keyboard, then enter what you want to find in the search box that appears inside the editor.


Finally, hit the "ENTER" button on your keyboard and it should take you to the requested code.

If you want to be taken to the section of code that belongs to a particular widget, just click on the Jump To Widget button at the top of the editor, choose the widget's name from the list and it will take you directly to that portion of code.


The CSS rules can be found folded at the top of the template, between <b:skin>...</b:skin> and <b:template-skin>...</b:template-skin> tags. To expand them, you have to click on the sideways arrow next to the line number.


Another great functionality is that now we can Preview Template in the same window without needing to leave the page and we can easily go back to customize our template by clicking on the Edit Template button.

Finally, Format template re-orders the code, adding indentation automatically.

As always, we must use the Save button for the changes to take effect or we can Revert the changes.

And that's it. With a bit of effort, we can easily familiarize with this new HTML editor. Surely as usual and even reasonable to be something inherent in the human condition, this change does not appeal to many. Same with the Lightbox for images, the new template designer, the new desktop and other new things that have been added in the past. But who now remembers that they once were new?
----------
For more info, check out this post on the Blogger Buzz blog, where Google software engineers +Samantha Schaffer and +Renee Kwang explained the steps for moving the date of a blog post from above the post title to underneath it, as an example in using the new Blogspot HTML editor.
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