Top app bar

Article
02/21/2014

A sample of what a standard navigation bar control looks like

Control description

The navigation bar, or top app bar, is the recommended place to put navigation controls that let the user access other areas of the app. By using the top app bar for navigation, you provide a consistent and predictable user experience for navigating Windows Store apps. Consistency gives users the confidence to move around the system and helps them transfer their knowledge of app navigation from app to app.

Explore navigation and commanding functionality in more depth as part of our App features, start to finish series: Flat navigation, start to finish (HTML and XAML) and Hierarchical navigation, start to finish (HTML and XAML)

Usage guidance

Use the navigation bar to display navigation commands. Placing navigation on the right surface at the right time can mean the difference between an app that's a breeze to use and one that's a burden. Users should be able to complete core scenarios just by using the canvas. The navigation bar is a secondary location for navigation controls. The navigation bar can help orient the user to all parts of an app, can provide quick access to the home page, or can encourage users to explore by jumping to different parts of the app.

You can also choose to include other functionality within the top app bar, such as adding a '+' button to create something new or integrating a search box. When you add other functionality, we recommend that you place these on the right side of the app bar.