Hi everyone,
I’d like to propose, as an Admin config, a global centered search.
Here’s why I believe this could be a valuable addition:
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Common Use Case
Many content heavy platforms (Wikipedia, Youtube, Spotify) prioritize a prominent and easily accessible search area, often centered on the interface. This design choice helps users locate the search functionality and can speed up the process of getting to a desired content. -
XWiki’s Diverse Use Cases
XWiki instances vary significantly in scope. For smaller to medium sized instances, a centered search box might not feel necessary. However, for larger instances with deeply nested and extensive hierarchies, having a highly visible and central search area could be a good feature in terms of usability and efficiency. -
Current Situation
While it is technically possible to customize the search box to a centered position today, these methods typically require coding skills. This creates a barrier for users without technical expertise who want to make their instance more search friendly.
Proposed Solution
The proposal introduces a customization option for a centered search box that does not require coding. This option could be located in the Global Administration section, under the “Header” Section of the Presentation menuitem under Look & Feel. At least it seemed an appropriate place for it, let me know if you have a better option.
Important: Default Behavior Remains Unchanged
This proposal does not alter the current default behavior of the search box, which remains positioned on the right side of the header. This ensures that existing setups are not disrupted, while offering flexibility for those who wish to enable a centered search box.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this proposal. Do you think this could improve usability for larger or more complex XWiki instances?
Looking forward to your feedback!
2 posts - 2 participants