Entire navigation in MX-Client is implemented with a ribbon. Every user interface can be accessed through a menu on a ribbon. Any extra functionalities that user interface might offer can also be accessed or activated through the ribbon and its navigation menus. This provides consistent navigation throughout the whole application. On user interface such features are implemented with the help of Context Navigation Designer.

Context Navigation Designer

Context navigation designer enables the developer to easily create and define the navigation for an user interface. With the designer it is possible to create several types of menus. Each of these menus is intended for different feature.

Menu	Description
Part	Menu for opening user interfaces created with MxPart component. MxPart component must be a part of the same MxSolution.
Report	Menu for opening reports created with MxReport component.
Code	Menu for invoking method implemented in this MxPart component.
Web	Menu opens internet browser and automatically connects to a defined internet page.
Adapter	Menu executes a statement in any desired adapter attached to the MxPart.
Workflow	Menu executes any workflow defined in an attached MxDiagram component.

Beside menus and their functionality mentioned above, context navigation designer provides easy method for creating data navigation.

Data Navigation

Each data source can have navigation menus which enable the end user to stroll among data and to execute different actions such as editing, copying, deleting, etc. When new data navigation is added, domain, pages and all menus are automatically created. Menus are not only created, text and icons for each menu are also defined. All properties are predefined. Of course developer can always customize the appearance of every menu, page and domain. Additional pages and menus can be added or existing deleted. Navigation menu can be defined for every data source of all adapters currently attached to the MxPart.

Example (MxSpace)

To see the implementation of data navigation open MxSpace solution project in Visual Studio. In Solution Explorer expand node Parts and double click ArticlesPart.cs. In ContextNavigation see the implemented data navigation.

To implement data navigation

1. Open the desired MxPart (ArticlesPart) component in Solution Explorer.
2. Right click ContextNavigation and select option Run Designer. 
3. In Domain Menu Explorer right click and select option Add Data Navigator. Pages and menus are automatically generated.*
4. Select the root node of newly created element and select the desired MxAdapter component (articlesAdapter1) in property Adapter.
5. In property DataSourceName select the data source for which the navigation will be enabled on the ribbon.

* Each page and menu can be further customized by defining its properties.

Managing context navigation is exactly the same as managing navigation items with MxNavigationMenu component. For detailed description of all properties and instructions on how to manage navigation see Navigation chapter. 

See Also