Add Link to the Quick Launch Navigation while deploying a webpart page in the module

Question

I like to add a navigation link under the quick launch left nav bar when a module deploys a webpart page as a file element in the feature. Is there a declarative way or do I go with feature event receiver?

The environment I m working on - Office 365 and deploying the webpart page under a feature using a Sandbox solution.

Answer 1

There is no declarative way to make the page deployed through File element to show up in the Quick Launch. Check the attributes of File Element here: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/office/ms459213.aspx So, using the event receiver may be a right approach.

Answer 2

Add this code to your FeatureActivated method of the Event Receiver:

 public override void FeatureActivated(SPFeatureReceiverProperties properties)
        {
            using (SPWeb web = (properties.Feature.Parent as SPWeb))
            {
              web.AllowUnsafeUpdates = true;
              string headingTitle = "myNavigation";  // Navigation Title
              string headingUrl = "navigationURL"; // URL of the Navigation Link

              // Get the Quick Launch headings.
              SPNavigationNodeCollection ql = web.Navigation.QuickLaunch;

              // If a Resources heading exists, get it.
              SPNavigationNode heading = ql.Cast<SPNavigationNode>().FirstOrDefault(n => n.Title == headingTitle);

              // If the Resources heading does not exist, create it.
              if (heading == null)
              {
                   heading = new SPNavigationNode(headingTitle, headingUrl);
                   heading = ql.AddAsLast(heading);
              }
              web.Update();
              web.AllowUnsafeUpdates = false; 
            }
        }

It will add the Navigation Link on feature activation.