Power Apps: Expandable Navigation Menu

Key insights

• Modern Expandable Navigation Menu
  In Power Apps, this is a two-level, production-ready navigation pattern that shows main items and hidden submenus to keep screens clean and easy to use.
• Data-driven Structure
  Store menu items and properties like MenuTitle and GoToScreen in a data source or app formula so you can change navigation without editing layout code.
• Responsive Sidebar
  Build the menu inside a sidebar container and design it to adapt to screen sizes so the navigation works on desktop and tablet views.
• Reusable Component
  Make the navigation a standalone component to reuse the same look and behavior across multiple Power Apps and maintain consistency.
• Interactive Navigation
  Use the control's select actions to navigate screens and set the default selected item so users see which screen is active; add expand/collapse logic to show or hide submenus.
• Quick Implementation Steps
  Enable the Modern Tab List control and modern themes, insert the control into the sidebar, bind fields to your menu data, configure OnSelect navigation, and test expand/collapse and responsiveness before publishing.

Overview

In a recent YouTube video, creator Reza Dorrani walks viewers through building a modern, expandable navigation menu inside Power Apps. The demo focuses on a responsive, two-level sidebar that supports both menu items and submenus, and it aims to be production-ready so developers can reuse the pattern across enterprise apps. Furthermore, the video highlights a data-driven approach that separates menu content from layout logic, which makes updates easier and reduces the chance of errors during maintenance. Consequently, teams can adopt the same component across multiple screens or applications while keeping a consistent user experience.

The presentation balances practical steps with design guidance, showing how to enable the necessary controls and set up the basic navigation framework. Viewers learn how to surface menu titles, wire navigation actions, and implement expand/collapse behavior so submenus appear only when needed. In addition, the tutorial emphasizes responsive behavior so that the sidebar works well on different screen sizes and device types. This combination aims to deliver a clean interface that fits modern UI expectations without overwhelming users.

What the Video Demonstrates

The core deliverable in the video is a two-level navigation system comprising primary entries and related submenus, constructed with controls such as the Modern Tab List control inside a sidebar container. Reza explains how to model the menu data so the UI reads from a single source, for example a named collection like LeftNavData with properties such as MenuTitle and a screen target. Moreover, he shows how to bind display fields so the control reflects titles correctly and how to highlight the active item using selection properties. As a result, the navigation reacts to user input and clearly indicates the active screen.

Beyond static layout, the video demonstrates how to make the navigation interactive by configuring selection logic and default selection formulas like the ones used to point to the current screen. Reza also covers expand and collapse interactions to reveal or hide submenus, which reduce visual clutter and improve focus. Additionally, he touches on enabling modern themes and controls to match contemporary design standards and deliver a professional look. This combination helps production teams deliver consistent UI patterns that users expect in business apps.

Implementation Highlights

To build the pattern, the tutorial begins with enabling modern controls and then inserting the tab list into a sidebar. Next, the author shows how to define the menu structure directly in the app’s formula space, which keeps menu data centralized and easier to edit later. He recommends binding the control’s display fields to the menu properties so the interface updates automatically when the data changes. Thus, developers can manage hierarchy and destinations without hardcoding multiple navigation rules.

Interaction wiring is straightforward in the demo: selection triggers navigation and formulas set the active item based on the current screen. Reza suggests using the control’s selection properties to run navigation commands and to synchronize the UI highlighting with the app state. In addition, the approach supports accessibility and theming by leveraging built-in controls rather than fully custom widgets, which simplifies maintenance. However, the video also shows that getting the details right—such as submenu toggles and default selection—requires careful testing across screens and device sizes.

Tradeoffs and Challenges

While the pattern offers clear benefits, several tradeoffs deserve attention. For instance, a highly dynamic, data-driven menu improves maintainability, but it introduces more configuration complexity up front; teams must decide whether the initial setup time justifies the long-term gains. Moreover, using built-in modern controls speeds development and improves consistency, though it can limit visual customization if a brand demands a unique look. Therefore, development teams must balance customization needs against the cost of building and supporting fully custom components.

Performance and state management also present challenges: large menus with many nested items can slow screen load or complicate selection formulas, particularly on lower-end devices. In addition, responsive behaviors and touch interactions require extra testing since a layout that works on desktop may obstruct content on small screens. Finally, accessibility considerations such as keyboard navigation and screen-reader labels must be included from the start, because retrofitting support later can be time-consuming and error-prone. Consequently, builders should plan for testing, profiling, and iterative improvement.

Practical Advice and Reuse

For teams adopting this pattern, start small and iterate: implement a basic two-level menu first, confirm navigation and selection behavior, and then expand features like animations or deeper hierarchies. In addition, centralize menu data so updates don’t require changes to multiple screens, and encapsulate the navigation as a reusable component to enforce consistency. Finally, test the component on different device sizes, involve users to validate discoverability, and include accessibility checks early to avoid rework. By following these steps, organizations can deliver a scalable, maintainable navigation system that improves app usability and reduces duplication across projects.

Keywords

Power Apps expandable navigation menu, Modern navigation menu Power Apps, Power Apps collapsible menu tutorial, Responsive navigation Power Apps, Power Apps side navigation design, Power Apps menu component, Power Apps UI navigation best practices, Build navigation menu in Power Apps