How to Create Sub Menu in Joomla
- George Apostolov
How to Create Sub Menu in Joomla: step-by-step guide
First, navigate to the 'Menus' option in your Joomla administrator panel.
Now, click on 'All Menu Items' to see your current menu structure.
Click the 'New' button to create a menu item that will become part of your sub-menu.
Give your sub-menu a name.
Next, we need to select which menu this item will belong to.
Click on the parent item dropdown to make this a sub-menu.
Select the parent menu item. This is crucial as it determines where your dropdown will appear.
Click the 'Select' button to browse available menu item types.
Click on 'Articles'.
Select 'Single Article' to link your sub-menu item to a specific article.
Click 'Save & Close' to store your settings.
Now let's make sure our menu module is displaying properly. Click on 'Content'.
Select 'Site Modules' to manage how your menus display on the site.
Look for your menu module in the list and click to edit it.
Verify which menu you're working with, either 'Main Menu' or 'Top Menu'.
Scroll down to check the menu display options - make sure 'Show Sub-menu Items' is set to 'Yes'.
Click 'Save & Close' to apply your menu module settings.
Refresh your site and check your sub-menu.
Quick answer: To create a sub menu in Joomla, navigate to Menus and All Menu Items, click New, assign a parent item, select a menu item type, and save. Then, configure the menu module in Site Modules to show sub-menu items, save, and refresh your site.
About this Joomla tutorial
Build and configure dropdown sub menus in Joomla. Add new menu items, assign parent items, and enable sub-menu display settings. This guide shows how to create Sub Menu in Joomla in 18 steps, starting with "First, navigate to the 'Menus' option in your Joomla administrator panel" and finishing with "Refresh your site and check your sub-menu". The interactive demo above is a click-through copy of the real Joomla interface, so you can rehearse each step before doing it in your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does it take to create Sub Menu in Joomla?
18 steps. Each one is listed in order above, and the demo highlights exactly where to click.
Can I try it without changing my own account?
Yes. Clicking through the demo doesn't touch your Joomla data or settings. Once you know the flow, repeat it in your own workspace.
This tutorial is filed under Joomla. Related guides: How to Debug Joomla, How to Edit a Joomla Site and How to Edit a Page in Joomla. Last reviewed 05 Oct 2026.
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