Using the Structure window (Navigator) in Elementor

Learn how to use Elementor's Structure window (formerly the Navigator) to find, select, reorder, and manage elements on complex pages.

On complex pages with many sections and widgets, clicking the right element on the canvas can be tricky. The Structure window (called the Navigator in older versions of Elementor) solves this problem by showing every element on the page in a tree, letting you select anything with a single click.

Quick summary

The Structure window lists every element on your page (containers, sections, columns and widgets) in a collapsible tree. Click any item to select it. Drag items to reorder them. Double-click a name to rename it, and click an element's eye button to hide it while you edit. Right-click an item for the same menu you get on the canvas.

How to open the Structure window

In the Elementor editor, click the Structure icon in the top bar.

The Structure window opens. You can drag it anywhere on the screen, or dock it on the right: drag it toward the right edge of the screen and drop it in the blue area that appears.

You can also right-click any element on the canvas and choose Structure (the window opens at that element), or press Ctrl+I (Cmd+I on a Mac).

Reading the Structure tree

The Structure window shows your page structure as a nested list:

Section
  Column
    Heading
    Text Editor
  Column
    Image
Section
  Column
    Button

Each item is indented to show what is inside what. On a site that uses containers, you'll see Container items where this example shows sections and columns. Click the arrow next to any item to expand or collapse it. The arrow buttons at the top left of the window expand or collapse everything at once.

Selecting an element from the Structure window

Find the element you want to edit in the Structure window.

Click the element. Elementor jumps to that element and the left panel shows its settings.

This is much more reliable than trying to click a small or overlapping element directly on the canvas. It also lets you reach elements that are hidden behind other elements.

Renaming elements in the Structure window

By default, elements have generic names (every container is just called "Container", for example). You can give them custom names to make navigation easier:

Double-click the element's name in the Structure window. The name is highlighted in blue while you edit it.

Type a new name — for example, "Hero Section" or "Services Grid."

Custom names are there to help you find elements again later.

Reordering elements from the Structure window

You can drag elements within the Structure window to reorder them:

Click and hold an element in the Structure window.

Drag it up or down.

Drop it before or after another element. The element moves to that spot on the page.

Check where the element landed

After you drop an element, look at the canvas to make sure it ended up where you meant it to. If it didn't, press Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on a Mac) to undo the move.

Hiding elements temporarily

You can hide any element in the editor without deleting it:

Find the element in the Structure window.

Click its eye (View) button.

The element is hidden in the editor only. This does not change your live site: visitors still see the element.

Hidden elements are not deleted. Click the eye button again to show them. This is useful for getting an element out of the way while you work on the design around it. To hide an element from visitors on certain devices, see Making your page look good on mobile.

Right-clicking an element in the Structure window gives you the same menu as right-clicking it on the canvas, with options such as:

Edit
Duplicate
Copy
Paste
Delete

The exact options depend on the type of element. For example, only containers and sections have Save as Template. To rename an element, double-click its name instead.

Common questions

I can't find the Navigator icon — where is it?

The Navigator is now called the Structure window. Click the Structure icon in the top bar, right-click any element and choose Structure, or press Ctrl+I (Cmd+I on a Mac). In older versions of Elementor, the icon sat in the footer at the bottom of the left panel.

The Structure window shows items I didn't add — what are they?

They may be inner sections, nested containers, hidden elements, or elements added as part of a template. Review them carefully. If you are unsure what something is, click it to select it and see what it looks like on the canvas.

In the Structure window, click the section (or container) item directly. On the canvas, hover over the section or container until its handle (a small tab) appears, then click the handle. On a container, click the settings icon in that tab. The Structure window is usually more reliable for selecting parent elements, especially when a handle is hidden behind other elements.

Need a hand?

If you're stuck, email support@chykalophia.com and we'll help. Include your website address and a screenshot if you can.

Learn more

Elementor: Use page structure to navigate your page