Drop Down Text & Graphic Blocks?

**dgolden26** · 05 March 2016, 08:41 PM

Using Xara WD 11 Premium - - is it possible to create a button that when clicked,
a text block (not menu) with graphics drops down below it? For example, the
button would say: "Read More" and when clicked the text and graphic block would
drop down below it? If so, how?

**Egg Bramhill** · 05 March 2016, 10:03 PM

There are limitations. Xara can't dynamically change the page length as some sites do. So understanding that you're stuck with a fixed height page there are at least three ways.

1: Link to another page containing the read more text & graphics, with a back button to reload the parent page.

2: Use pop up layers. The main limitation here, is that you'll need to know the length of your longest Read More article.

3: The Read More button opens a placeholder to load an external html page (with scroll bars if required)

I'd prefer option two. I attach a demo file (screengrabs courtesy of bbc.co.uk)

**dgolden26** · 05 March 2016, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by Egg Bramhill

There are limitations. Xara can't dynamically change the page length as some sites do. So understanding that you're stuck with a fixed height page there are at least three ways.

1: Link to another page containing the read more text & graphics, with a back button to reload the parent page.

2: Use pop up layers. The main limitation here, is that you'll need to know the length of your longest Read More article.

3: The Read More button opens a placeholder to load an external html page (with scroll bars if required)

I'd prefer option two. I attach a demo file (screengrabs courtesy of bbc.co.uk)

****

Thanks!

**Simon Baber** · 13 February 2025, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Egg Bramhill

There are limitations. Xara can't dynamically change the page length as some sites do. So understanding that you're stuck with a fixed height page there are at least three ways.

1: Link to another page containing the read more text & graphics, with a back button to reload the parent page.

2: Use pop up layers. The main limitation here, is that you'll need to know the length of your longest Read More article.

3: The Read More button opens a placeholder to load an external html page (with scroll bars if required)

I'd prefer option two. I attach a demo file (screengrabs courtesy of bbc.co.uk)

Hi Egg Bramhill.
I did a google search for exactly what you spoke about in your post. It brought me to this page, and so I then logged on to my account here. I then downloaed the file you left and opened it in XDPX. The file is exactly what Iv'e been looking for over the last 6-7 weeks. However, I do not know how to modify it so that I can use it for my webpage. But I do want it to appear and do exactly the same as it does when I preview it in XDPX. Please, do you know where I may find a step-by-step tutorial so that I can implement my own text inside that "read more" button ? What I am wanting to do is make that blue button black instead, and then incorporate my own text. I would be absolutely over the moon if you could point me in the right direction. And I so wish I had much greater abilities than I have. Thank you so much. Simon.

**Egg Bramhill** · 13 February 2025, 10:17 PM

Hi Simon, that's a very old thread. I attach another xar file which I hope is easier to follow than the old one as there were screen grabs in some places in that rather than dynamic text. Get back if you require further help.

VIDEO

**Simon Baber** · 14 February 2025, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Egg Bramhill

Hi Simon, that's a very old thread. I attach another xar file which I hope is easier to follow than the old one as there were screen grabs in some places in that rather than dynamic text. Get back if you require further help.

VIDEO

Hi Egg Bramhill.
You are an absolute Superstar. You are so very kind and helpful. Never in a million years did I think that you would go out of your way and not only produce another file for me, but go on to make a Youtube video ! Wow ! You are amazing. I am so very grateful to you that I can't say it enough.
I do have extreme difficulty in concentrating after a hip operation went wrong and put me in a coma for months. My abilities have never been the same. Nevertheless, I will sit at my computer and finish my website. When I get back home from hospital today, I will be very exited to try my best with the information that you so kindly produced for me. Thank you so much.
Simon.

**Egg Bramhill** · 14 February 2025, 02:41 PM

Thanks Simon. I hope it all goes well for you.

**Simon Baber** · 17 February 2025, 03:06 PM

Hi Egg BramHill,
My editing of your file seemed to go well. However, the file will not work when I try to preview it on my own webpage. Whenever I try to preview the "read more" section, it jump to the top of the page ! Could this be something to do with web properties ? I'll explain what I did with your file : Firstly, I unlocked all necessary layers and edited just one "read more" section. This worked great and displayed perfectly in preview mode within the .xar file you sent. However, I then copied and pasted the file onto my own webpage, at which point it would't work. On my own webpage I can see the "read more" section, but when I click on it, the page jumps to the the top ! This got me thinking that it may be something to do with web properties. What can I do.
Thank you. Simon.

**Acorn** · 17 February 2025, 05:59 PM

Simon, don't try and drop Egg's solution into your design.

All you need to do is add a pop-up layer with the full text that is revealed when the read more... button is clicked.
Om the MouseOff layer where the read more... button will be, this button is a simple Link > Pop-up layer entry and Settings in Web Properties.
Every read more... button has it own link to its own pop-up layer.

Details in https://helpandsupport.xara.com/xara...perations.html

Acorn

**Simon Baber** · 21 February 2025, 05:11 PM

Hi Acorn,
Despite trying to accomplish my task, and trying for hours everyday, I just can't do it. I am presented with too many options in the Web {Properties Dialogue box, and don't understand any of them....no matter how hard I try. I do have cognitive difficulties.
I am trying to produce exactly that which Egg Bramhill produced and left a file of above, but with only one button and accompanying lot of hidden text(until Read More is clicked. Iv'e looked and looked for instructional vides. I have even had google ai studion try to guide me through the task by sharing my screen. But the ai assumes I know the tools it is referring to. Could you please direct me to a set of step-by-step instructions so that I can make a Read More drop down, just like Egg made in his option 2 above ?
Thank you. Simon