CSS: Create a form with two input fields where the left field is adjustable in width and the right field fills up

Question

CSS: Create a form with two input fields where the left field is adjustable in width and the right field fills up

------------- --------------------------------------------------
| some unique text | | some more original content, varying length |
------------- --------------------------------------------------

|<---------------------- 100% width ------------------------->|

In the layout above, I have a design where the left box should be minimized while the right box expands to fill the remaining space. Normally, using float: left would achieve this.

The issue arises when the right box contains a lot of text and the left box needs to remain considerably smaller (sizing varies and must be flexible). In such cases, the behavior should adapt as shown below:

------------- --------------------------------------------------
| some text | | quite a lengthy amount of text, in fact, a       |
------------- | multitude of words, you might say it's truly     |
              | an extensive chunk of text                      |
              --------------------------------------------------

When using float:left, the excess text in the right box causes it to wrap beneath the left box, creating an undesirable layout:

-------------
| some text |                                       (undesirable)
-------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
| quite a lengthy amount of text, in fact, a multitude of words   |
| you might say it's truly an extensive chunk of text             |
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternately, if both boxes are placed within a table, the left box may unnecessarily expand even with minimal text content:

                                                      (undesirable)
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------
| some text                    | | not much text here            |
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------

In addition, the left box should not break onto a new line. However, due to containing HTML elements rather than pure text, applying no-wrap does not work consistently across all browsers.

What is a recommended solution to address this challenge?

UPDATE

Precisely filling the remaining width with the right box is not crucial; instead, maintaining its alignment with the right edge of the left box is the primary goal.

css

Answer 1

Answer №1

When styling the right box, consider using overflow: hidden; width: auto; instead of floating it. This will ensure that it takes up the remaining space without dropping below even when there is a lot of content. Remember to continue floating the left box.

Answer 2

When styling the right box, consider using overflow: hidden; width: auto; instead of floating it. This will ensure that it takes up the remaining space without dropping below even when there is a lot of content. Remember to continue floating the left box.

Answer 3

Answer №2

Establish a set width for the left column, along with float:left; make sure to position it after the main column in the HTML code.

Utilize two separate divs for the right column; the outer div should also be floated left and have a width of 100%, while the inner div should have a left margin equal to the width of the left column.

Answer 4

Establish a set width for the left column, along with float:left; make sure to position it after the main column in the HTML code.

Utilize two separate divs for the right column; the outer div should also be floated left and have a width of 100%, while the inner div should have a left margin equal to the width of the left column.

Answer 5

Answer №3

Following Stobor's advice, consider nesting the left box within the right box

<div id="rightBox">
   <div id="leftBox">Include this text to expand the left box</div>
   <div style="float:left">
      Insert content for the right box here<br>
      Even breaking works fine...
   </div>
</div>

CSS:

#rightBox {
   width: 100%;
   background: red;
}
#leftBox {
   width: auto;
   float: left;
   background: blue;
}

Seems to be effective in my case.

Answer 6

Following Stobor's advice, consider nesting the left box within the right box

<div id="rightBox">
   <div id="leftBox">Include this text to expand the left box</div>
   <div style="float:left">
      Insert content for the right box here<br>
      Even breaking works fine...
   </div>
</div>

CSS:

#rightBox {
   width: 100%;
   background: red;
}
#leftBox {
   width: auto;
   float: left;
   background: blue;
}

Seems to be effective in my case.

Answer 7

Answer №4

When utilizing a pure CSS solution, it appears necessary to impose some sort of width constraint on one of the columns. Is it absolutely ruled out that this cannot be expressed as a percentage, as previously suggested?

The issue is twofold: If one column is floated while the other is given a width of 100%, the floated column, being removed from the document flow, causes the other to span the entire viewport width (disregarding the floated div). If both are floated without specifying the second div's width, the div will naturally shrink or expand to accommodate its widest child element. The W3C specification may offer some guidance, although it can be quite dense.

An alternative approach could involve using JavaScript to determine the viewport width and dynamically adjusting the column widths accordingly. Otherwise, you might encounter difficulties with achieving the desired layout solely through CSS.

Answer 8

When utilizing a pure CSS solution, it appears necessary to impose some sort of width constraint on one of the columns. Is it absolutely ruled out that this cannot be expressed as a percentage, as previously suggested?

The issue is twofold: If one column is floated while the other is given a width of 100%, the floated column, being removed from the document flow, causes the other to span the entire viewport width (disregarding the floated div). If both are floated without specifying the second div's width, the div will naturally shrink or expand to accommodate its widest child element. The W3C specification may offer some guidance, although it can be quite dense.

An alternative approach could involve using JavaScript to determine the viewport width and dynamically adjusting the column widths accordingly. Otherwise, you might encounter difficulties with achieving the desired layout solely through CSS.

Answer 9

Answer №5

Another option to consider is changing the wrapper display property to table and setting the child elements to table-cell. You can then specify one div's width and height with fixed pixel values, while setting the other (dynamic) div's width to 100%.

<style>
* {
  -webkit-box-sizing: border-box;
     -moz-box-sizing: border-box;
          box-sizing: border-box;
}

#container{
  border: solid #222 1px;
  width: 400px;
  height: 360px;
  resize: both;
  overflow: auto;
}

#wrap{
  border: solid red 1px;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  display: table;
  resize: both;
  overflow: auto;
}

video{
  border: solid #222 4px;
  display: table-cell;
  width: 160px;
  height: 160px;
}

#list{
  border: solid #222 4px;
  display: table-cell;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
}
</style>
<div id="container">
  <div id="wrap">
    <video controls></video>
    <br>
    <div id="list"></div>
  </div>
</div>

Implement this solution!

ps: On a side note, vertical alignment might require some more tweaking :(

UPDATE!!!

VERTICAL METHOD: * { -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; }

#container{
  border: solid #222 1px;
  width: 400px;
  height: 360px;
  resize: both;
  overflow: auto;
}

#wrap{
  border: solid red 1px;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  display: table;
  resize: both;
  overflow: auto;
}

video{
  border: solid #222 4px;
  display: table-cell;
  width: 160px;
  height: 160px;
}

#median{
  display: table-row;
  width: 100%;
}

#list{
  border: solid #222 4px;
  display: table-cell;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
}
</style>
<div id="container">
  <div id="wrap">
    <video controls></video>
    <div id="median"></div>
    <div id="list"></div>
  </div>
</div>

Answer 10

Another option to consider is changing the wrapper display property to table and setting the child elements to table-cell. You can then specify one div's width and height with fixed pixel values, while setting the other (dynamic) div's width to 100%.

<style>
* {
  -webkit-box-sizing: border-box;
     -moz-box-sizing: border-box;
          box-sizing: border-box;
}

#container{
  border: solid #222 1px;
  width: 400px;
  height: 360px;
  resize: both;
  overflow: auto;
}

#wrap{
  border: solid red 1px;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  display: table;
  resize: both;
  overflow: auto;
}

video{
  border: solid #222 4px;
  display: table-cell;
  width: 160px;
  height: 160px;
}

#list{
  border: solid #222 4px;
  display: table-cell;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
}
</style>
<div id="container">
  <div id="wrap">
    <video controls></video>
    <br>
    <div id="list"></div>
  </div>
</div>

Implement this solution!

ps: On a side note, vertical alignment might require some more tweaking :(

UPDATE!!!

VERTICAL METHOD: * { -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; }

#container{
  border: solid #222 1px;
  width: 400px;
  height: 360px;
  resize: both;
  overflow: auto;
}

#wrap{
  border: solid red 1px;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  display: table;
  resize: both;
  overflow: auto;
}

video{
  border: solid #222 4px;
  display: table-cell;
  width: 160px;
  height: 160px;
}

#median{
  display: table-row;
  width: 100%;
}

#list{
  border: solid #222 4px;
  display: table-cell;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
}
</style>
<div id="container">
  <div id="wrap">
    <video controls></video>
    <div id="median"></div>
    <div id="list"></div>
  </div>
</div>

CSS: Create a form with two input fields where the left field is adjustable in width and the right field fills up

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

Answer №5

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