Here is quite the challenge.  The Joomla 1.7 parent menu items are always linked to either a component or article/category.  How do you create a parent menu item that is not clickable or linkable to anywhere.  The steps are fairly easy.  You just need to create the parent menu item as an External link that links to no where.  After you create the unclickable parent menu item, you can place child drop down menu items under the parent. This example is using the free Joomla 1.7 Template jMint.  See my screenshot below:

Overall Steps to Complete this:

• Create a New Parent Menu Item in Menu Manager
• Create New Child Menu Items in Menu Manager

Below are the detail steps to create a non clickable parent menu drop down menu.  I will use the “Top” Menu and create the same “Parent Not Clickable” menus.

1. Create a New Parent Menu Item in Menu Manager

• Login to your Joomla 1.7 Administrator Panel
• Click on ‘Menus’, ‘Top’, Add new menu item
• In the Menu Manager, New Menu Item, fill in the following values;
• Menu Item Type = External URL
• Menu Title = Cmsmind Parent Not Clickable
• Link = #
• Menu Location = Top
• Status = Published
• Access = Public
• Parent Item = Menu Item Root
• Click on ‘Save & Close’

 2.  Create New Child Menu Items in Menu Manager

• Click on ‘Menus’, ‘Top’, Add new menu item
• In the Menu Manager, New Menu Item, fill in the following values
• Menu Item Type = Category Blog
• Menu Title = Cmsmind Child Menu Item 1
• Status = Published
• Access = Public
• Menu Location = Top
• Parent Item = Cmsmind Parent Not Clickable (Menu created in step 1)
• Choose a category = Joomla!
• Click on ‘Save & Close’

After you refresh your Joomla 1.7 website you will see your new Parent menu item.  If you click on the parent menu item it will not go anywhere except remain on the same page you are on.  When you mouse over the parent menu item, the drop down menu will expand and display the child menu items.

Thanks,

Elaine