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How to Create a Vertical Menu in WordPress?

Updated On : September 28, 2026By : Reading Time : 1 minute

Key Takeaways

  • Nexter Blocks Navigation Menu block creates a vertical menu in WordPress by adding the block to the header template and selecting Vertical in Menu Layout.
  • Nexter Builder is used to create the header template before the Navigation Menu block is added.
  • Submenu settings let the user choose the hover event and animation effect that opens nested items in a vertical menu.
Table of Contents

A vertical menu suits sidebars, side headers and small menus where a stacked list looks cleaner than a row.

The free Navigation Menu block in Nexter Blocks switches to a vertical layout with one setting.

For every Navigation Menu setting in one place, see the Navigation Menu block guide.

LIVE BLOCK LINK

Before You Start

  • Edition: Free — works in Nexter Blocks (free) and with Nexter Blocks Pro.
  • Block to enable: Navigation Menu, switched on under Nexter > Blocks in your WordPress dashboard.

Steps

  1. Add the Navigation Menu block and choose a Type (Manual Menu, or WordPress Menu with Pro).
  1. Set Menu Layout to Vertical.
Menu Layout set to Vertical with the menu stacked on the canvas
  1. Add or select your menu items, then set Submenu Open and Submenu Transition. Save.
A vertical navigation menu on a website

How It Behaves

  • Menu items are stacked top to bottom.
  • Opening a parent item shows its sub-items below it and pushes the items underneath down.

Limitations

  • Long vertical menus take a lot of height. For a collapsible version, use the Vertical Toggle layout.

Troubleshooting

The menu is still in a row

Check Menu Layout is set to Vertical and the block has enough width for the item text.

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Related Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need before creating a vertical menu in WordPress with Nexter Blocks?

The vertical menu feature is available in the free Navigation Menu block inside Nexter Blocks, and it also works with Nexter Blocks Pro. The block must be enabled under Nexter > Blocks in your WordPress dashboard before it appears. That matters because the layout change only applies once the block is active, so missing the block setup is the most common blocker before you even get to the menu design.

How does a vertical menu behave in WordPress once it is set up?

A vertical menu stacks items top to bottom instead of laying them out in a row. When a parent item opens, its sub-items appear below it and push the items underneath down. That behavior makes it better for sidebars and side headers, where a stacked list reads more cleanly than a horizontal navigation bar.

When should I use a vertical menu instead of a horizontal one?

A vertical menu fits sidebars, side headers, and small menus where a stacked list looks cleaner than a row. It is also a better choice when you want submenu items to expand downward without crowding the header area. For longer menus, though, height becomes the tradeoff, so the layout works best when screen space on the side is available.

Why is my WordPress menu still showing in a row after switching it to vertical?

The usual cause is that Menu Layout is not actually set to Vertical, or the block does not have enough width for the item text. In Nexter Blocks, that width matters because long labels can force the layout to behave like a row visually. If the text needs more room, give the block more horizontal space so the stacked layout can hold.

What is the best way to handle a long vertical menu in WordPress?

Long vertical menus take up a lot of height, so they can become awkward in narrow side areas. The page points to the Vertical Toggle layout as the better option when you need something collapsible. That makes sense for dense navigation because it reduces how much space the menu occupies before users open it.

Is there another way to build a vertical navigation style besides the basic vertical menu?

Nexter Blocks also has related options for different navigation patterns, including Create a vertical toggle menu and Create a vertical mega menu. The basic vertical layout is for stacked menus, while those related docs point to more specialized structures when you need collapsible or larger submenu behavior.

Last reviewed: September 28, 2026

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