A header preset builds a verified combination of logo, menu, and optional actions without manual column calculation. Six variants are available in the current version.
What you will learn
- Recognize when the presets dialog is available.
- Select the layout for the logo, menu, and actions.
- Understand server-side validation of the target row.
- Check the mobile header and optional sticky behavior.
When you can use a preset
The starting point is a Logo module. It must be the first connected Logo in an allowed top row. The header dialog is not offered from a standard module in the middle of the page or from a second copy of a Logo. The target also cannot be the mainbox, left or right sidebar, an inner row, or any custom section.
These rules protect the template structure. A header is not just a colored strip: it requires a valid 12-column grid, proper Joomla positions, and supported module types. The browser displays the available options, but the final decision is made by the server. It determines the actual target row and rejects unauthorized combinations.
How to build a header
- Insert a Logo into a suitable top row and select its first connected instance.
- Open the header presets menu. If it is missing, check the row type and the order of Logo modules.
- Select one of the six variants and define the primary combination of logo and menu.
- If needed, add up to three supported actions or CTAs (prominent call-to-action buttons). Typical examples include search, account, or cart.
- Decide whether supported sticky behavior during scrolling should be active, and confirm the preset.
- Check the resulting row on desktop, tablet, and mobile. Focus on element order, menu spacing, and button legibility.
What confirming a preset changes
A preset alters the target row's structure, rather than applying mere visual styling. Before confirming, pay attention to what is already in the row. The editor creates a history checkpoint after significant changes, allowing you to use the visible Undo control if the result is not suitable.
The server only assembles known variants, permitted modules, and valid column widths that total twelve columns. This reduces the risk of generating a header with an invalid position or unsupported element. However, the presence of an external e-commerce module in the catalog does not guarantee that the extension is installed on the target site.
When selecting a variant, start with the most important visitor journey. Content websites usually require a clear menu and search bar, while an online store may add an account icon and shopping cart. Utilizing all three action slots is not mandatory; an empty slot is better than a row of icons without clear purpose. For sticky headers, check the height: a tall header can cover a significant portion of content on small screens, even if the grid structure itself remains technically valid.
Preview is not live navigation
In the editor, you see a safe, inert representation of the header. The menu can simulate a submenu to preview appearance, but it does not navigate through live site items. Links, logins, search, and cart actions do not execute their usual functions here. Actual content and permissions are provided by Joomla and installed modules after export.
Therefore, when designing, you evaluate layout and responsive behavior. Functional testing of navigation, off-canvas menus, user accounts, or shopping carts belongs on the target website with real data.
Result
The top row contains a logo, menu, and up to three intended actions; elements do not overlap on mobile viewports, and actual links and data can be verified in live Joomla.