Skip to content
Contact Support
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Customizing Your Dashboard and Header Navigation 🧭

📣 Only users with Workspace Admin permissions can configure the home dashboard and navigation. If you're unsure about your permissions, reach out to your platform admins or our team at support@haystackteam.com.

Whether you prefer to learn by watching the full video or following along with our super-detailed, time-stamped instructions, you've got this! Pick your learning adventure below!

 

Click below to be directed to the portion of the video of your choosing:

 

Customizing Your Dashboard (01:05)

The dashboard is the first thing employees see, and while the card structure is the same for everyone, the content is personalized based on group membership. As the workspace editor, you should strike a balance between refreshing content and evergreen information.

Best Practices and Strategy (02:00)

  • Balance is Key: Mix low-lift content (like the News Carousel, Recent Posts, and Anniversaries, which update automatically) with evergreen content (like Featured Links and static cards) to keep the dashboard feeling fresh and functional.

  • Be Flexible: You can update the dashboard for holidays, major initiatives, or splashy news, and then easily change it back. You are the front-page editor!

Adding New Cards (03:39)

  • Access the Library: Only Workspace Admins can add new cards. Scroll to the bottom of the dashboard and click the empty space (the plus icon) to open the Dashboard Card Library.

  • Select a Card: Cards in gray text are single-use; cards in black text can still be added. Click the Add button for the cards you want.

    • Examples: Event Calendar, Upcoming Birthdays, Static Card (for custom text/images), Video, Poll, Countdown Clock.

Configuring and Hiding Cards (04:22)

  • Configure Cards: For any card with blank spaces or custom settings (like the Static Card or Gallery Card), click the three-dot button in the top right corner and use the Setup option.

  • Hide Cards: If a card isn't working for you, click the three-dot button in the top right corner and select Hide.

Reordering and Resizing Cards (05:35)

  • Drag and Drop: Click and hold any card, then drag and drop it horizontally or vertically to rearrange your dashboard.

  • Resizing: For cards that support multiple sizes (like the News Carousel), you can drag them to a space that gives them a larger or smaller area. They will move to the next available row if there's not enough space.

Horizontal Banner Cards (06:26)

These two cards are full-width and function differently from the standard vertical cards:

Card Use Configuration Steps
Search Banner Encourages discovery by displaying rotating search tags (e.g., job titles, hobbies). Add the card and drag it to your desired spot. No further setup is needed as the content updates automatically.
Announcement Banner Best for critical news, alerts, or simple announcements. 1. Add the card. 2. Click the Configure button to select your color (Primary, Secondary, or Haystack Danger Red) and add your custom text. 3. You can also add a link to another page.
 

Customizing Your Header Navigation (09:00)

Your header navigation is a powerful tool for giving employees quick access to key resources like the employee handbook, benefits info, or outside tools.

Accessing Navigation Settings (10:23)

  • Permissions: You must be a Workspace Admin to customize the navigation.

  • Navigate: Go to your Admin Console and select Customize Navigation (the fourth option down).

Setting Your Default Landing Page (11:00)

  • Your default landing page is where users go when they click your company logo or sign in.

  • Best Practice: Leave this set to Dashboard (99.9% of teams do). If you change it, consult your CSM to ensure the dashboard remains accessible.

Managing Navigation Components (11:46)

The navigation builder uses a block structure: Folders are the top-line menu items, and Components are the dropdown links beneath them.

Adding Components to Existing Folders (12:21)

  1. Find the folder you want to edit (e.g., Resources).

  2. Click Add Component beneath that folder.

  3. Choose your component type:

    • Workspace Feature: This adds core Haystack pages you may have previously hidden (e.g., Org Chart, Global Map).

    • Link: This allows you to add any URL.

Adding a Link (13:00)

The Link component is the most flexible, allowing you to link to Haystack pages (like your Employee Handbook) or external websites (like your press page).

  1. Select Link.

  2. Copy the URL directly from your browser's address bar (for both Haystack pages and external sites).

  3. Paste the URL into the field.

  4. Give it a clear Name (e.g., "Policies and Procedures").

  5. Click Save (in the component window).

Managing Folders (15:15)

  • Hiding/Deleting: You can hide any of the default folders (like the Groups or Recommended Recognition dropdowns) by clicking the Hide option next to them.

  • Adding New Folders: You can add a new horizontal folder (which can be a standalone link or a new dropdown container) to the main header navigation.

Finalizing and Best Practices (13:50)

  • Crucial Step: After any change to your components or folders, you must click the Save button in the header of the Admin Console to finalize your changes.

  • Keep it Simple: While you have unlimited horizontal and vertical space, keep your navigation to about 5-6 wide and 6-10 deep per dropdown to avoid overwhelming users.

And there you have it! You've officially graduated from reader to Haystack master. Go forth, customize, and make your intranet the most brilliant, functional, and well-organized digital space it can be!

Keywords: Haystack, dashboard, navigation, header, customization, admin console, workspace admin, drag and drop, featured links, broadcast banner, search banner, creating cards, landing page, links, components, tutorial, guide