Adding app bars, toolbars and commands (HTML)

[ This article is for Windows 8.x and Windows Phone 8.x developers writing Windows Runtime apps. If you’re developing for Windows 10, see the latest documentation ]

Most apps provide commands for users to invoke. The topics in this section describe app bars, tool bars and context menus, which can be used to provide commands to users.

In this section

Topic Description

Add app bars

The AppBar, appearing at the top or bottom of the screen, is used for commands that are relevant to the user's context; typically the current page or the current selection. The ToolBar is a simple control based on AppBar that can be positioned freely, even inside an AppBar. Both controls address command scalability and adaptive behavior using an action area where commands are immediately available and an overflow area where commands are hidden but can be displayed upon request by the end user.

Add login controls

Provides guidance for designing controls that enable users to easily and reliably log in and logout of your apps.

Add header menus

A header menu is part of the hierarchical navigation pattern for Windows Store apps. It offers the user a shortcut to navigate to different sections of your app without needing to click the back button and drill into another section. The items in the header menu should match the sections of your hub that the user can drill into. At the bottom of the list, you should include an item to return to your hub, or home.

Add context menus

The context menu is a lightweight menu that gives users immediate access to actions (like clipboard commands) on text or UI objects in apps. The system provides apps with default context menus for text and hyperlinks.