CSS Overflow


The large content is controlled by CSS overflow. It indicates whether the content should be clipped or scroll bars should be added.

The overflow has the following feature:

  • visible
  • hidden
  • scroll
  • auto

1. Visible:

The content is not clipped and can be seen beyond the element box. CSS overflow is set to visible by default. That is, not setting the CSS overflow property is equivalent to setting it to "visible."

When overflow is visible, the content that is overflowing will not be clipped. It will instead appear outside the element's box and may overlap other elements on the page.

Example

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2. Hidden:

The overflow is clipped, and the remaining content is hidden. Overflow hidden indicates that the overflowing content will be hidden and will not appear on the page.

When a web browser encounters the CSS overflow hidden property, it hides the extra content that extends beyond the element's box.

Example

Preview

3. Scroll:

The overflow is clipped, but a scrollbar is added to allow access to the remaining content. The scrollbar can be horizontal or vertical in orientation. When the overflow value is set to scroll, the overflowing content is hidden from rendering outside the element's box and scrollbars are provided to view the content.

It's worth noting that when you set overflow to scroll, you always get both horizontal and vertical scrollbars, even if the content only requires one.

Example

Preview

4. Auto:

When a scrollbar is required, it is automatically added. The overflow auto value is nearly identical to overflow scroll, but it also solves the problem of getting scrollbars even when we don't need them.

As previously stated, when we use overflow scroll, we get both the horizontal and vertical scrollbars even when we don't need them. In the case of overflow auto, however, the scrollbar appears only when the content extends beyond the element's box.

Example

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Overflow-x and Overflow-y

This property specifies how to modify element overflow. x handles horizontal edges, while y handles vertical edges. Until now, we had set overflow using the overflow shorthand property. Instead, we can control the overflow horizontally or vertically by using overflow-x and overflow-y.

Overflow-x is used to control an element's horizontal overflow. In simpler terms, it specifies what to do with the content's right and left edges.

Overflow-y is used to control an element's vertical overflow. In simpler terms, it specifies what to do with the content's top and bottom edges.

Example

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FAQs

When using CSS Overflow, it is important to avoid some common pitfalls to ensure that your web design looks and functions correctly. One pitfall is using overflow: hidden to hide content instead of using proper accessibility techniques. This can prevent users from accessing important content, such as navigation menus. Another pitfall is using overflow: scroll unnecessarily, which can clutter the design with unnecessary scrollbars. It is also important to consider the impact of overflow on responsive web design, as it can affect the layout and user experience on different devices.

CSS Overflow property is an important tool in creating responsive designs. It can help you control the content flow in your web pages and keep them organized. To use CSS Overflow for responsive designs, you need to consider the following:

  • Use overflow: auto to create scrollbars only when necessary, and avoid unnecessary scrollbars that can clutter your design.
  • Avoid using overflow: hidden to hide content, as this can prevent users from accessing important information.
  • Use overflow-x and overflow-y to control the horizontal and vertical overflow separately, to create a more responsive design.
  • Consider the impact of overflow on responsive web design, and test your design on different devices and screen sizes to ensure it works well.

By following these best practices, you can use CSS Overflow to create responsive designs that are both functional and visually appealing.

When using CSS Overflow in web design, it is important to avoid some common pitfalls to ensure a good user experience. Firstly, using overflow: hidden and overflow: scroll incorrectly can cause issues with accessibility and clutter the design with unnecessary scrollbars. Instead, it's better to use overflow: auto and overflow-x and overflow-y to create a more responsive design. Additionally, testing the design on different devices and screen sizes is crucial to ensure it works well. Another best practice is to use CSS Grid or Flexbox to create a more efficient and flexible layout.