---
name: "Eden Editor: Configuring Menu Bar"
type: topic
aliases: ["Eden Editor: Menu Bar: Modding", "Eden Editor: Modding Menu Bar"]
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Eden_Editor:_Configuring_Menu_Bar
revid: 347885
updated: 2023-10-31T13:12:43Z
---

# Eden Editor: Configuring Menu Bar

[Menu Bar](../topics/Eden_Editor~3A_Menu_Bar.md) is the central control element of the Eden Editor, where all available options and tools are available.
When adding a new functionality to the editor, you should strongly consider listing the feature there.

The menu bar is configured as a [CT_MENU_STRIP](../topics/CT_MENU_STRIP.md), and it is possible to freely modify it from an addon.
Because anyone can access the configuration, remember to tag your class names to make them unique (i.e., **TAG_AwesomeTool** instead of just **AwesomeTool**).

Following code examples will show the most common ways how to extend the menu bar.

### Tool

When adding a tool which has its own isolated functionality, **Tools** section is the best place where to put it.

#### Single

```cpp
class ctrlMenuStrip;
class display3DEN
{
    class Controls
    {
        class MenuStrip : ctrlMenuStrip
        {
            class Items
            {
                class Tools
                {
                    items[] += { "TAG_MyTool" }; // += must be used; you want to expand the array, not override it!
                };

                class TAG_MyTool
                {
                    text = "My Awesome Tool"; // Item text
                    picture = "\MyAddon\data\myAwesomeTool_ca.paa"; // Item picture
                    action = "[] call TAG_fnc_MyAwesomeTool;"; // Expression called upon clicking; ideally, it should call your custom function
                    opensNewWindow = 1;// Adds '...' to the name of the menu entry, indicating the user that a new window will be opened.
                };
            };
        };
    };
};
```

#### Folder

If your feature is more complex and one menu item would not be enough to control it, you can instead add a folder with all required options inside.

```cpp
class ctrlMenuStrip;
class display3DEN
{
    class Controls
    {
        class MenuStrip : ctrlMenuStrip
        {
            class Items
            {
                class Tools
                {
                    items[] += {"TAG_MyFolder"};
                };

                class TAG_MyFolder
                {
                    text = "My Awesome Folder...";
                    items[] = { "TAG_MyTool1", "TAG_MyTool1" }; // Links to items inside the folder
                };

                class TAG_MyTool1
                {
                    text = "My Awesome Tool 1";
                };

                class TAG_MyTool2
                {
                    text = "My Awesome Tool 1";
                };
            };
        };
    };
};
```

#### Separators

To ensure the user is not overwhelmed by the sheer amount of tools it is recommended to not only use folders, but also **separators**. You can add a separator like so:

```cpp
class ctrlMenuStrip;
class display3DEN
{
    class Controls
    {
        class MenuStrip : ctrlMenuStrip
        {
            class Items
            {
                class Tools
                {
                    items[] += { "TAG_MyFolder" };
                };

                class TAG_MyFolder
                {
                    text = "My Awesome Folder...";
                    items[] = { "TAG_MyTool1", "Separator", "TAG_MyTool1" }; // The separator is treated like any other tool
                };

                class TAG_MyTool1
                {
                    text = "My Awesome Tool 1";
                };

                class TAG_MyTool2
                {
                    text = "My Awesome Tool 1";
                };
            };
        };
    };
};
```

### Scenario Attributes

When you add a new window with scenario attributes (see [Attributes Modding](../topics/Eden_Editor~3A_Configuring_Attributes.md#scenario) to learn how it can be achieved), the user will still need a way how to access it.
The best way is to add a link to the window at the end of **Attributes** option.

```cpp
class ctrlMenuStrip;
class display3DEN
{
    class Controls
    {
        class MenuStrip : ctrlMenuStrip
        {
            class Items
            {
                class Attributes
                {
                    items[] += { "TAG_MyAttributes" };
                };

                class TAG_MyAttributes
                {
                    text = "My Awesome Attributes";
                    action = "edit3DENMissionAttributes 'MyScenarioAttributes';";
                };
            };
        };
    };
};
```

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — Eden Editor: Configuring Menu Bar](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Eden_Editor:_Configuring_Menu_Bar) (revision 347885).</sub>