Vertical navigation UX – Scroll or collapse
Which is preferred?
- Toggleable Expansion (Figure A) - 2nd level only visible if initiated by user (e.g. accordion or expand/collapse)
- Scrollable (Figure B) - 2nd-level always visible, scrolls if overflows
Assuming "depends" is a given, what are cases which one would be preferred over the other. Are there any alternatives to this style of vertical navigation where horizontal navigation is not an option (space is already utilized for another purpose).
A: Toggleable/Collapsable B: Scrollable/Uncollapse-able
Specific case: I have a project for an Analytics Dashboard that utilizes a vertical navigation. In most1 cases the items will all be visible "above the fold," the exception being mobile users in landscape view (spacial/size reductions occur based on resolution). This may change, though not in the near future. Our UX team has split into two camps: camp A claims "dropdown's are a best practice and will account for future changes" where B prefers "scrollable for the small % where items would overflow, to reduce clicks and user's searching for content".
Seemed like a good topic to get additional input on.
Additional note: This is a toggleable sidenav, it is hidden initially and slides into view from left to right when menu icon/button is interacted with, this is the same from desktop to mobile.
1 <0.03% of mobile users (assuming less in landscape view) growth is expected here.
Desktop view of actual project navigation (Figure C):
