Structure

Ionic Framework provides several different layouts that can be used to structure an app. From single page layouts, to split pane views and modals.

Header and Footer Layout

The most simple layout available consists of a header and content. Most pages in an app generally have both of these, but a header is not required in order to use content.

<ion-app>
  <ion-header>
    <ion-toolbar>
      <ion-title>Header</ion-title>
    </ion-toolbar>
  </ion-header>

  <ion-content class="ion-padding">
    <h1>Main Content</h1>
  </ion-content>
</ion-app>

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As you can see, a toolbar in a header appears above the content. Sometimes an app needs to have a toolbar below the content, which is when a footer is used.

<ion-app>
  <ion-content class="ion-padding">
    <h1>Main Content</h1>
  </ion-content>

  <ion-footer>
    <ion-toolbar>
      <ion-title>Footer</ion-title>
    </ion-toolbar>
  </ion-footer>
</ion-app>

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Live examples

You can view a live example of this setup in Angular here and for React here.

A layout consisting of horizontal tabs can be used to let the user quickly change between content views. Each tab can contain static content or a navigation stack by using an ion-router-outlet or ion-nav.

<ion-app>
  <ion-tabs>
    <ion-tab tab="home">
      <h1>Home Content</h1>
    </ion-tab>
    <ion-tab tab="settings">
      <h1>Settings Content</h1>
    </ion-tab>

    <ion-tab-bar slot="bottom">
      <ion-tab-button tab="home">
        <ion-label>Home</ion-label>
        <ion-icon name="home"></ion-icon>
      </ion-tab-button>
      <ion-tab-button tab="settings">
        <ion-label>Settings</ion-label>
        <ion-icon name="settings"></ion-icon>
      </ion-tab-button>
    </ion-tab-bar>
  </ion-tabs>
</ion-app>

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Live examples

You can view a live example of this setup in Angular here and for React here.

A standard layout among mobile apps includes the ability to toggle a side menu by clicking a button or swiping it open from the side. Side menus are generally used for navigation, but they can contain any content.

<ion-app>
  <ion-menu content-id="main-content">
    <ion-header>
      <ion-toolbar color="primary">
        <ion-title>Menu</ion-title>
      </ion-toolbar>
    </ion-header>

    <ion-content>
      <ion-list>
        <ion-list-header>
          Navigate
        </ion-list-header>
        <ion-menu-toggle auto-hide="false">
          <ion-item button>
            <ion-icon slot="start" name='home'></ion-icon>
            <ion-label>
              Home
            </ion-label>
          </ion-item>
        </ion-menu-toggle>
      </ion-list>
    </ion-content>
  </ion-menu>

  <ion-page class="ion-page" id="main-content">
    <ion-header>
      <ion-toolbar>
        <ion-buttons slot="start">
          <ion-menu-toggle>
            <ion-button>
              <ion-icon slot="icon-only" name="menu"></ion-icon>
            </ion-button>
          </ion-menu-toggle>
        </ion-buttons>
        <ion-title>Header</ion-title>
      </ion-toolbar>
    </ion-header>
    <ion-content class="ion-padding">
      <h1>Main Content</h1>
      <p>Click the icon in the top left to toggle the menu.</p>
    </ion-content>
  </ion-page>
</ion-app>

<ion-menu-controller></ion-menu-controller>

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Live examples

You can view a live example of this setup in Angular here and for React here.

Split Pane Layout

A split pane layout has a more complex structure because it can combine the previous layouts. It allows for multiple views to be displayed when the viewport is above a specified breakpoint. If the device's screen size is below a certain size, the split pane view will be hidden.

By default, the split pane view will show when the screen is larger than 768px, or the md breakpoint, but this can be customized to use different breakpoints by setting the when property. Below is an example where the split pane contains a menu that is visible for sm screens and up, or when the viewport is larger than 576px. By resizing the browser horizontally so that the app is smaller than this, the split pane view will disappear.

<ion-app>
  <ion-split-pane when="sm" content-id="main-content">
    <ion-menu content-id="main-content">
      <ion-header>
        <ion-toolbar color="primary">
          <ion-title>Menu</ion-title>
        </ion-toolbar>
      </ion-header>

      <ion-content>
        <ion-list>
          <ion-list-header>
            Navigate
          </ion-list-header>
          <ion-menu-toggle auto-hide="false">
            <ion-item button>
              <ion-icon slot="start" name='home'></ion-icon>
              <ion-label>
                Home
              </ion-label>
            </ion-item>
          </ion-menu-toggle>
        </ion-list>
      </ion-content>
    </ion-menu>

    <div class="ion-page" id="main-content">
      <ion-header>
        <ion-toolbar>
          <ion-buttons slot="start">
            <ion-menu-toggle>
              <ion-button>
                <ion-icon slot="icon-only" name="menu"></ion-icon>
              </ion-button>
            </ion-menu-toggle>
          </ion-buttons>
          <ion-title>Header</ion-title>
        </ion-toolbar>
      </ion-header>
      <ion-content class="ion-padding">
        <h1>Main Content</h1>
      </ion-content>
    </div>

  </ion-split-pane>
</ion-app>

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It's important to note that the element with the id matching the content-id specified by the split pane will be the main content that is always visible. This can be any element, including an ion-nav, ion-router-outlet, or an ion-tabs.

Live examples

You can view a live example of this setup in Angular here and for React here.

Structure

Header and Footer Layout

Header

Footer

Header and Footer

Live examples

Tabs Layout

Live examples

Menu Layout

Live examples

Split Pane Layout

Live examples