highlight the navigation menu for the current page

Question

In a page with some navigation links,I want the link of the current page are hightlighted,just like this:

The link "HTML Attributes" is highlighted(bolded) since this link will take one to the current page.

I know this can be implemented manually(just hightlighted the according link,but is there some smart way? highlight the right link dynamically and automatically?

Answer 1

CSS:

.topmenu ul li.active a, .topmenu ul li a:hover {
    text-decoration:none;
    color:#fff;
    background:url(../images/menu_a.jpg) no-repeat center top;
}

JavaScript:

<script src="JavaScript/jquery-1.10.2.js" type="text/javascript"></script> 

<script type="text/javascript">
    $(function() {
        // this will get the full URL at the address bar
        var url = window.location.href;

        // passes on every "a" tag
        $(".topmenu a").each(function() {
            // checks if its the same on the address bar
            if (url == (this.href)) {
                $(this).closest("li").addClass("active");
                //for making parent of submenu active
               $(this).closest("li").parent().parent().addClass("active");
            }
        });
    });        
</script>

Html Code:

<div class="topmenu">
    <ul>
        <li><a href="Default.aspx">Home</a></li>
        <li><a href="NewsLetter.aspx">Newsletter</a></li>
        <li><a href="#">Forms</a></li>
        <li><a href="#">Mail</a></li>
        <li><a href="#">Service</a></li>
        <li style="border:none;"><a href="#">HSE</a></li>
        <li><a href="#">MainMenu2</a>
           <ul>
              <li>submenu1</li>
              <li>submenu2</li>
              <li>submenu3</li>
          </ul>
       </li>
    </ul>
</div>