The Compact List / Directory layout is intended for larger collections that should remain readable and easy to scan.
Set:
3. Layout → Display Layout → Compact List / Directory
Client-side Search
Enabled by default.
The Search box filters only the items already loaded by this module. It does not send a new Joomla query, perform AJAX loading or change the underlying source dataset.
Search is case-insensitive and normalizes text for practical matching.
Only content that is configured as visible is included in the searchable display data, with the item title remaining searchable even if the standalone Directory title is hidden.
A–Z Filter
Enabled by default.
Visitors can filter by initial letter:
All A B C ... Z #
Accented Latin titles are transliterated to their base A–Z letter where Joomla can normalize them. Other initials can be grouped under #.
Letters with no matching items are disabled.
Combining Search and A–Z
Search and A–Z use AND behavior.
Example:
Search: installation
A–Z: I
Only currently loaded items matching both conditions remain visible.
Accessibility
- Filter results are announced through a polite status region.
- A–Z buttons expose pressed state.
- A–Z keyboard focus supports Left / Right / Home / End.
- Filtering does not automatically move focus away from the visitor's current control.
Progressive enhancement
If frontend JavaScript does not run, the Directory content itself remains visible. Search/A–Z controls are not presented as non-working controls.
