Creating Bootstrap 4 forms with full-width input fields within an inline form layout

Question

Creating Bootstrap 4 forms with full-width input fields within an inline form layout

In my observation, there is a noticeable variance in the behavior of in-line forms between the older version of Bootstrap, v3, and the newer version, V4.

I have included two code snippets below:

Bootstrap 3

In Bootstrap 3, when the page width decreases, each form element adjusts to occupy the entire width of the page. However, this functionality no longer exists in Bootstrap 4. Surprisingly, I couldn't find any mention of this full-width behavior in the Bootstrap 3 documentation. Even though it's not documented, the fields still expand to full width in an inline form when enclosed in a form-group div.

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.6/css/bootstrap.min.css">

<h1>bootstrap/3.3.6</h1>

{Form HTML content for Bootstrap 3}

Bootstrap 4

Now, using the same HTML structure in Bootstrap 4 doesn't produce the full-width behavior anymore. Just like in Bootstrap 3, there seems to be no reference to the full-width form fields on narrower pages or in inline forms within the Bootstrap 4 documentation.

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.0.0/css/bootstrap.min.css">

<h1>bootstrap/4.0.0</h1>

{Form HTML content for Bootstrap 4}

I am curious if anyone knows of a way to replicate the Bootstrap 3 behavior in Bootstrap 4, where the form-fields expand to full width as on wider screens?

I prefer not to remove the class='form-inline' from the form, as I want it to appear inline on larger screens.

html css twitter-bootstrap css-selectors bootstrap-4

Answer 1

Answer №1

To optimize your code, simply remove the '.form-group' div and incorporate a media query for resolutions up to 767 pixels. With Bootstrap 4, inputs automatically expand to 100% width on screens that are below 576px wide.

@media (max-width: 767px){
  .form-inline .form-control {
    display: block;
    width: 100%;
  }
}

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.0.0/css/bootstrap.min.css">

<h1>bootstrap/4.0.0</h1>

<form class='form-inline' role='form' action='search.php' method='post' id='form_search'>
   <input type='hidden' name='method' value='search' />

      <input type='text' class='form-control' id='str' name='str' placeholder = 'Search'>

      <select name='mn' id='mn' class='form-control'>
         <option value='n'>Month</option>
         <option  value='1'>January</option>
         <option  value='2'>February</option>
      </select>

      <select class='form-control' name='yr' id='yr'>
         <option value='n'>Year</option>
         <option  value='1995'>1995</option>
         <option  value='1996'>1996</option>
      </select>

      <select name='format' id='format' class='form-control'>
         <option value='n'>Format</option>
         <option  value='1'>1</option>
      </select>

      <select name='week_end_or_not' id='week_end_or_not' class='form-control'>
         <option value='n'>Weekend Or Not</option>
         <option  value='week'>Week Days</option>
         <option  value='weekend'>Weekend</option>
      </select>

      <select name='work_days' id='work_days' class='form-control'>
         <option value='n'>Work Days?</option>
         <option  value='yes'>Yes</option>
         <option  value='no'>No</option>
      </select>

      <select name='exact_phrase' id='exact_phrase' class='form-control'>
         <option value='n'>Exact Phrase?</option>
         <option  value='yes'>Yes</option>
         <option  value='no'>No</option>
      </select>

   <button type='submit' class='btn btn-success'><i class="fa fa-search"></i> Search</button>
</form>

For a live demonstration, check out this Demo

Answer 2

To optimize your code, simply remove the '.form-group' div and incorporate a media query for resolutions up to 767 pixels. With Bootstrap 4, inputs automatically expand to 100% width on screens that are below 576px wide.

@media (max-width: 767px){
  .form-inline .form-control {
    display: block;
    width: 100%;
  }
}

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.0.0/css/bootstrap.min.css">

<h1>bootstrap/4.0.0</h1>

<form class='form-inline' role='form' action='search.php' method='post' id='form_search'>
   <input type='hidden' name='method' value='search' />

      <input type='text' class='form-control' id='str' name='str' placeholder = 'Search'>

      <select name='mn' id='mn' class='form-control'>
         <option value='n'>Month</option>
         <option  value='1'>January</option>
         <option  value='2'>February</option>
      </select>

      <select class='form-control' name='yr' id='yr'>
         <option value='n'>Year</option>
         <option  value='1995'>1995</option>
         <option  value='1996'>1996</option>
      </select>

      <select name='format' id='format' class='form-control'>
         <option value='n'>Format</option>
         <option  value='1'>1</option>
      </select>

      <select name='week_end_or_not' id='week_end_or_not' class='form-control'>
         <option value='n'>Weekend Or Not</option>
         <option  value='week'>Week Days</option>
         <option  value='weekend'>Weekend</option>
      </select>

      <select name='work_days' id='work_days' class='form-control'>
         <option value='n'>Work Days?</option>
         <option  value='yes'>Yes</option>
         <option  value='no'>No</option>
      </select>

      <select name='exact_phrase' id='exact_phrase' class='form-control'>
         <option value='n'>Exact Phrase?</option>
         <option  value='yes'>Yes</option>
         <option  value='no'>No</option>
      </select>

   <button type='submit' class='btn btn-success'><i class="fa fa-search"></i> Search</button>
</form>

For a live demonstration, check out this Demo

Answer 3

Answer №2

Easy Solution: Using .form-inline Class Without Grouping

If you want a simple solution, according to Bootstrap documentation, you can utilize the .form-inline class on your form without grouping single input elements. Just remove the corresponding <div class="form-group"> elements.

To customize breakpoints, refer to the Responsive Breakpoints section in the documentation.

Check out the live example below (expand to fullscreen and adjust viewport width for effect):

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.0.0/css/bootstrap.min.css">

<h1>Bootstrap 4.0.0 Example</h1>

<form class='form-inline' role='form' action='search.php' method='post' id='form_search'>
  <input type='hidden' name='method' value='search' />
  <input type='text' class='form-control' id='str' name='str' placeholder='Search'>
  
  <!-- Additional input fields go here -->
  
  <button type='submit' class='btn btn-success'><i class="fa fa-search"></i> Search</button>

</form>

Better Approach: Utilizing .input-group instead of .form-group

If you prefer grouping your input elements, consider swapping out .form-group with .input-group as explained in Bootstrap's documentation about Multiple Inputs.

View the responsive demonstration below:

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.0.0/css/bootstrap.min.css">

<h1>Bootstrap 4.0.0 Example</h1>

<form class='form-inline' role='form' action='search.php' method='post' id='form_search'>
   <input type='hidden' name='method' value='search' />
   <div class='form-group'>
      <input type='text' class='form-control' id='str' name='str' placeholder = 'Search'>
   </div>

   <!-- Insert additional input fields wrapped in .input-group -->

   <button type='submit' class='btn btn-success'><i class="fa fa-search"></i> Search</button>
</form>

Answer 4

Easy Solution: Using .form-inline Class Without Grouping

If you want a simple solution, according to Bootstrap documentation, you can utilize the .form-inline class on your form without grouping single input elements. Just remove the corresponding <div class="form-group"> elements.

To customize breakpoints, refer to the Responsive Breakpoints section in the documentation.

Check out the live example below (expand to fullscreen and adjust viewport width for effect):

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.0.0/css/bootstrap.min.css">

<h1>Bootstrap 4.0.0 Example</h1>

<form class='form-inline' role='form' action='search.php' method='post' id='form_search'>
  <input type='hidden' name='method' value='search' />
  <input type='text' class='form-control' id='str' name='str' placeholder='Search'>
  
  <!-- Additional input fields go here -->
  
  <button type='submit' class='btn btn-success'><i class="fa fa-search"></i> Search</button>

</form>

Better Approach: Utilizing .input-group instead of .form-group

If you prefer grouping your input elements, consider swapping out .form-group with .input-group as explained in Bootstrap's documentation about Multiple Inputs.

View the responsive demonstration below:

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.0.0/css/bootstrap.min.css">

<h1>Bootstrap 4.0.0 Example</h1>

<form class='form-inline' role='form' action='search.php' method='post' id='form_search'>
   <input type='hidden' name='method' value='search' />
   <div class='form-group'>
      <input type='text' class='form-control' id='str' name='str' placeholder = 'Search'>
   </div>

   <!-- Insert additional input fields wrapped in .input-group -->

   <button type='submit' class='btn btn-success'><i class="fa fa-search"></i> Search</button>
</form>

Creating Bootstrap 4 forms with full-width input fields within an inline form layout

Bootstrap 3

Bootstrap 4

Answer №1

Answer №2

Easy Solution: Using .form-inline Class Without Grouping

Better Approach: Utilizing .input-group instead of .form-group

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