Umbraco V17: Active Tree Item Hidden Issue & Solution

Are you wrestling with a frustrating Umbraco v17 bug where the active tree item vanishes behind the "Show more" button? You're not alone! This is a common issue that impacts user experience, making navigation clunky and less intuitive. This article will break down the problem, providing a clear understanding and potential solutions. Let's delve into the specifics of this Umbraco CMS challenge and explore how to regain control of your content tree.

The Bug: Hidden Active Tree Item in Umbraco 17

In Umbraco v17, a perplexing issue arises, particularly when dealing with a large number of document types. This is most evident when navigating between sections and utilizing the "Show more" button within the content tree. When you expand the tree and then jump between document types, the active tree item can become obscured by the "Show more" button. This means the currently selected item, which should be readily visible to the user, is hidden, making it difficult to understand where you are in the content structure. This disruption in the user interface can disrupt workflow and frustrate content editors, and it needs to be addressed for the optimal user experience.

This bug significantly impacts the usability of the Umbraco backoffice. Imagine you're in the Settings section, and you've expanded the tree to see all your document types. You then navigate to the Members section and return to Settings. Instead of seeing the active document type highlighted, you might be greeted by the "Show more" button obscuring your view. This forces the user to interact further with the interface to reveal the content they are trying to access, which increases the cognitive load and detracts from the ease of content management.

The Reproducible Steps: Unveiling the Hidden Item

To truly grasp this issue, let's look at the steps to reproduce the problem.

1. Create Plenty of Document Types: Start by creating at least seven document types in your Umbraco v17 installation. This number isn’t set in stone, but it needs to be sufficient to trigger the "Show more" button, which appears when your tree content expands beyond the default visible items.
2. Open the Last Document Type: After establishing your document types, open the last one in the tree. This sets the stage for the navigation and potential problem.
3. Navigate to the Member Section: Move to the Members section. This transition is important because it involves switching sections within the Umbraco backoffice.
4. Return to the Settings Section: Go back to the Settings section. At this point, you'll be redirected to the path of the last document type you were previously viewing.
5. "Show More" Button Appears: The crucial part is that the "Show more" button likely appears at the top of the content tree. It does this because it needs to expand to the document types that have not been loaded yet, or perhaps in an effort to maintain the last document type in view.
6. Click "Show More": This action expands the content tree, revealing all your document types if you haven't already shown them.
7. Open the First Document Type: Navigate and open the first document type. This is part of the sequence where the bug will become visible.
8. Return to Settings Again: After opening the first document type, navigate back to the Members section and then return to Settings. This completes the cycle and exposes the hidden active tree item issue.

The Expected vs. Actual Outcomes

Understanding the discrepancy between the expected and actual results is key to appreciating the severity of the bug.

• Actual Result: When the user returns to the Settings section in the final step, the first document type's path is displayed, but the "Show more" button remains visible. The active tree item—the one corresponding to the document type—is hidden behind the button. The result is a confusing user interface where the current location in the content tree is not immediately apparent.
• Expected Result: The user should be directed to the first document type path, and the active tree item should be fully visible, not covered by the "Show more" button. This would provide the user with clear and immediate feedback about their location within the content structure.

Troubleshooting the "Show More" Button Issue

Addressing the "Show more" button issue involves understanding its causes and implementing practical solutions. The main problem is how Umbraco manages the visibility and focus of the active tree item when dealing with dynamically loaded content. Here are some troubleshooting steps:

1. Inspecting the Code

Start by inspecting the Umbraco backoffice code, particularly the components responsible for rendering and managing the content tree. Focus on the code that handles the "Show more" button’s behavior, the tree item’s visibility, and the active state of items. Look for potential conflicts between these components, especially during section transitions.

2. Understanding the Tree Structure and Loading Mechanism

Comprehending how the content tree loads and updates is critical. The "Show more" button is directly linked to the dynamic loading of content. The issue could stem from how the tree re-renders or updates the active item's position when more items are loaded.

3. Debugging and Logging

Use your browser’s developer tools to debug the backoffice code, or implement logging to trace the state of the active item and the "Show more" button during section changes. This data can pinpoint the precise moment the issue occurs, and this information is essential for identifying the root cause.

4. Code Examination

Carefully review the Javascript code responsible for controlling the content tree's behavior. Look at how the tree is re-rendered, how the active item is set, and how the "Show more" button interacts with the tree. The issue is likely in these interactive components.

5. Applying a Patch or a Custom Solution

If you find the specific cause and can address it directly, consider patching the Umbraco core code if the bug affects the official Umbraco version. However, before modifying the core, ensure you have a backup plan. A better approach might be to create a custom solution to temporarily mitigate the issue. This could involve manipulating the DOM or overriding specific Javascript functionalities. Remember to test any changes thoroughly.

6. Seeking Community Help

If you're unsure how to proceed, ask for assistance from the Umbraco community. Post your findings, the steps you've taken, and the code you've reviewed on the official Umbraco forums or other development communities. The collective knowledge of these groups may provide you with insights or solutions you may have missed.

Potential Solutions and Workarounds

Though a permanent fix will likely come from the Umbraco developers through an update, several strategies can provide a workaround for the hidden active item. These methods may not eliminate the issue entirely, but can improve the user experience until a permanent solution is released.

1. Custom JavaScript Tweaks

One approach is to add custom Javascript to modify the behavior of the content tree. This involves detecting when the "Show more" button is visible and ensuring that the active tree item is also visible, possibly by scrolling to it. The Javascript could monitor the DOM for changes related to the button or the active item and then adjust the scroll position if needed.

// Example: Basic concept, needs refinement for Umbraco specifics
function ensureActiveItemVisible() {
  const showMoreButton = document.querySelector('.umb-tree-show-more');
  const activeItem = document.querySelector('.umb-tree-item.active');

  if (showMoreButton && activeItem) {
    if (showMoreButton.offsetParent !== null && activeItem.offsetParent !== null) {
    // Check if both elements are visible
      const showMoreRect = showMoreButton.getBoundingClientRect();
      const activeItemRect = activeItem.getBoundingClientRect();

      if (activeItemRect.top < showMoreRect.bottom) {
        // Active item is hidden, scroll to it
        activeItem.scrollIntoView({
          behavior: 'smooth',
          block: 'start',
        });
      }
    }
  }
}

// Run the check on page load and after content updates
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', ensureActiveItemVisible);

// Use a MutationObserver to watch for tree changes
const observer = new MutationObserver(ensureActiveItemVisible);
const treeContainer = document.querySelector('.umb-tree');

if (treeContainer) {
  observer.observe(treeContainer, {
    childList: true,
    subtree: true,
    attributes: true,
  });
}

This basic JavaScript example demonstrates a possible approach. The code first finds both the "Show more" button and the active item. It then checks if the active item's position is below the button. If it is, the code uses scrollIntoView() to bring the active item into view. Additional refinements are needed to adapt this code to the specific structure of the Umbraco tree.

2. Modifying CSS for Visibility

Another approach involves manipulating CSS to force the active item to be visible. This might involve setting a higher z-index for the active item so it appears above the "Show more" button or adjusting the button’s position or size. However, this method requires careful testing to ensure it doesn't cause other display issues.

/* Example: Override the z-index to bring active item to front */
.umb-tree-item.active {
  z-index: 1000;
}

This CSS example shows how to modify the z-index of the active item to ensure it is always visible above other elements. The exact values may need adjustment depending on the Umbraco structure. This is a basic example; further CSS rules may be necessary to target the appropriate elements within the Umbraco tree.

3. Avoiding "Show More" Navigation

If possible, you might modify the content structure to reduce the need for the "Show more" button. This may involve reorganizing the document types or reducing their overall number. Simplifying the structure can indirectly resolve the issue.

4. Reporting the Bug

Make sure to report the bug to the Umbraco developers on their issue tracker (e.g., GitHub). Provide detailed information about how to reproduce it, the version of Umbraco you're using, and the steps you've taken to troubleshoot the issue. Reporting the issue helps the developers prioritize the bug and ensures a permanent fix.

Conclusion: Navigating the Umbraco v17 Tree

The hidden active tree item issue in Umbraco v17 can be a significant hurdle for content editors. The inconvenience it causes highlights the importance of user experience in content management systems. Although a permanent fix may need to come from the Umbraco developers, several workarounds and potential solutions exist. By understanding the problem and systematically implementing these methods, users can regain control over their content tree and restore their Umbraco experience.

Remember to stay patient and proactive. The Umbraco community is active, and reporting the issue or seeking help in the forums can provide you with effective solutions and keep you informed of the latest updates.

By following the troubleshooting steps and implementing potential solutions, you can restore usability and improve the overall efficiency of your Umbraco content management system. This process ensures a more intuitive content editing experience for your users.

External Resources:

• Umbraco Documentation: Explore the official documentation to find relevant information about the content tree, navigation, and other related topics. Umbraco Documentation