Understanding Feature Menu Items

Feature Menu Items are system-managed navigation entries automatically created by Magentrix when certain platform features are configured. Unlike other Menu Item types that administrators create manually, Feature Menu Items are generated and managed by the system to provide navigation to feature-specific content and functionality. Understanding how Feature Menu Items work helps administrators effectively incorporate them into portal navigation structures.

What Are Feature Menu Items

Feature Menu Items represent navigation entries that the Magentrix platform creates automatically when administrators configure specific features that require dedicated navigation access. These Menu Items provide users with navigation pathways to feature content such as article lists, storefronts, resource collections, and wikis.

Feature Menu Items differ from other Menu Item types in several important ways:

• They are created automatically by the system, not manually by administrators
• They cannot be deleted through the Menu Items interface
• Their labels and URLs are controlled by the underlying feature
• Their visibility is determined by the feature's own permission settings
• Only the icon can be customized by administrators

How Feature Menu Items Are Created

Feature Menu Items are generated when administrators create or configure specific platform features. The system automatically creates a corresponding Menu Item that provides navigation to the feature content. This automatic creation ensures users can access feature functionality through portal navigation without requiring separate Menu Item configuration.

Automatic Creation Process

1. Administrator creates or configures a supported platform feature (e.g., creates a new Article List)
2. Magentrix automatically generates a Feature Menu Item for the new feature
3. The Feature Menu Item appears in the Menu Items list with Custom checkmark unchecked
4. The Feature Menu Item becomes available for assignment to Apps through the Menu Builder

Features That Create Feature Menu Items

The following platform features automatically generate Feature Menu Items when configured:

Article Types

When administrators create an Article Type for knowledge base content, FAQs, blogs, release notes, or other forms of posts, Magentrix automatically generates a Feature Menu Item. The Menu Item provides navigation to the Article Type page where users can browse and read posts.

For more information, see Creating Article Types.

Article Lists

When administrators create an Article Lists to aggregate posts from multiple Article Types, Magentrix automatically generates a Feature Menu Item. The Menu Item provides navigation to the Article List page where users can browse aggregated content.

For more information, see Article Lists.

Storefronts

When administrators create a Storefront for product catalog and commerce functionality, Magentrix automatically generates a Feature Menu Item. The Menu Item provides navigation to the Storefront where users can browse products and make purchases.

For more information, see Creating Storefronts.

Wikis

When administrators create a Wiki for collaborative documentation and knowledge management, Magentrix automatically generates a Feature Menu Item. The Menu Item provides navigation to the Wiki content area.

For more information, see About the Wiki Module.

Feature Menu Item Visibility

Unlike Link and Web Menu Items that use manual sharing configuration, Feature Menu Item visibility is controlled entirely by the underlying feature's permission settings. Administrators cannot manually share Feature Menu Items to roles or groups.

How Visibility Is Determined

Each feature type has its own permission and sharing model that determines who can access the feature content. The Feature Menu Item inherits this visibility:

To control who can see a Feature Menu Item, administrators must adjust the sharing or permissions on the underlying feature rather than on the Menu Item itself.

Visibility in App Context

For a Feature Menu Item to appear in navigation, two conditions must be met:

1. The Feature Menu Item must be assigned to an App the user has access to
2. The user must have access to the underlying feature based on its permission settings

If either condition is not met, the Feature Menu Item will not appear in the user's navigation.

Customizing Feature Menu Items

Feature Menu Items have limited customization options compared to other Menu Item types. Administrators can only modify the icon; all other properties are controlled by the system.

Changing the Icon

To change a Feature Menu Item's icon:

1. Navigate to the Setup Home page and click Create > Navigation Menu
2. Click the Menu Items tab
3. Locate the Feature Menu Item you want to customize
4. Click the Actions dropdown and select Edit
5. Select a new icon from the available options
6. Click Save

Properties That Cannot Be Changed

The following Feature Menu Item properties are controlled by the system and cannot be modified by administrators:

• Label: The Menu Item label is determined by the underlying feature name
• URL: The navigation destination is controlled by the feature
• Type: Feature Menu Items remain as Feature type
• Sharing: Visibility is controlled by feature permissions, not manual sharing

Assigning Feature Menu Items to Apps

Feature Menu Items can be assigned to Apps through the Menu Builder just like other Menu Item types. This allows administrators to incorporate feature navigation into organized App structures.

Adding Feature Menu Items to Apps

1. Navigate to the Apps page and edit the target App
2. In the Menu Builder, locate the Feature Menu Item in the Available Menu Items panel
3. Drag the Feature Menu Item to the desired position in the App Navigation Structure
4. Optionally, drag the Feature Menu Item into a Folder for nested organization
5. Click Save to apply the changes

Removing Feature Menu Items from Apps

1. Navigate to the Apps page and edit the target App
2. In the Menu Builder, locate the Feature Menu Item in the App Navigation Structure
3. Drag the Feature Menu Item back to the Available Menu Items panel
4. Click Save to apply the changes

Deleting Feature Menu Items

Feature Menu Items cannot be deleted directly through the Menu Items interface. The Delete option is not available for Feature Menu Items in the Actions dropdown.

Removing Feature Menu Items

To remove a Feature Menu Item from the system, you must delete or deactivate the underlying feature that created it:

• Deleting an Article List removes its associated Feature Menu Item
• Deleting a Storefront removes its associated Feature Menu Item
• Deleting a Resource Collection removes its associated Feature Menu Item
• Deleting a Wiki removes its associated Feature Menu Item

Best Practices

Incorporating Feature Menu Items

Monitor New Features: When creating new Article Lists, Storefronts, Resource Collections, Wikis, or other supported features, remember that Feature Menu Items are automatically generated. Plan to incorporate these Menu Items into appropriate Apps.

Organize Logically: Place Feature Menu Items in Apps and Folders that align with their content and target audience. Group related Feature Menu Items together for intuitive navigation.

Consider Visibility: Before assigning a Feature Menu Item to an App, verify that the underlying feature's sharing settings align with the App's target audience. Users who can access the App should generally also have access to the feature.

Managing Visibility

Control Through Features: Since Feature Menu Item visibility is controlled by the underlying feature, make visibility adjustments at the feature level. Update Article Type sharing, Storefront sharing, Resource Collection permissions, or Wiki access settings as needed.

Align App and Feature Access: Ensure that Apps and their Feature Menu Items have compatible audience targeting. Avoid situations where users can access an App but cannot see its Feature Menu Items due to feature permission restrictions.

Icon Customization

Consistent Visual Identity: When customizing Feature Menu Item icons, select icons that align with the feature's content and purpose. Use consistent icon styles across similar feature types.

Differentiation: Choose icons that help users distinguish between different Feature Menu Items, especially when multiple features of the same type exist (e.g., multiple Article Lists or Storefronts).

Troubleshooting

Feature Menu Item Not Appearing in Available Pool

Issue: A newly created feature does not have a corresponding Feature Menu Item in the available pool.

Solution: Verify the feature was created successfully and is active. Some features may require specific configuration steps before generating a Feature Menu Item. Refresh the Menu Items page to ensure the latest items are displayed.

Feature Menu Item Not Visible to Users

Issue: Users cannot see a Feature Menu Item that has been assigned to an App they can access.

Solution: Check the following:

• Verify the user has access to the underlying feature (check feature sharing/permissions)
• Confirm the Feature Menu Item is assigned to an App the user can access
• If the Feature Menu Item is in a Folder, ensure the Folder is not hidden due to other visibility restrictions

Cannot Delete Feature Menu Item

Issue: The Delete option is not available for a Feature Menu Item.

Solution: This is expected behavior. Feature Menu Items cannot be deleted directly. To remove a Feature Menu Item, you must delete the underlying feature. If you want to hide the Menu Item without deleting the feature, remove it from all Apps.

Cannot Change Feature Menu Item Label

Issue: The label field is not editable when editing a Feature Menu Item.

Solution: This is expected behavior. Feature Menu Item labels are controlled by the underlying feature name. To change the label, rename the feature (Article List, Storefront, Resource Collection, Wiki, etc.) and the Menu Item label will update automatically.

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