Dividing the content: A two-column CSS layout

Question

Dividing the content: A two-column CSS layout

I am currently redesigning a layout that is using tables for a two-column design but I have encountered some issues.

<div id="frame">

 <div id="leftcol">
  <div id="1">blah</div>
 </div>

 <div id="leftcol">
  <div id="2">blah</div>
  <div id="3">blah</div>
 </div>

</div>

#leftCol
{
 margin-right: 10px;
 width: 49%;
 float: left;
}

#rightCol
{ 
 width: 49%;
 float: left;
}

In the original setup, there was a two-column table with width=100% which displayed correctly in Firefox. However, in Internet Explorer, the table overflowed the #frame div container. To address this, I replaced the table with two floated divs but encountered challenges with equalizing the column widths.

All content is contained within the #frame div, which has height constraints, padding, and margins to create a "gutter" around the edge of the page.

I aim to have the two floated DIV columns be the same width and sit alongside each other with a 10px gap between them. Setting both to width: 50% did not work due to the narrower width of the #frame container compared to the body of the page. When reducing the gutter padding, the layout functioned in Firefox but not in Internet Explorer.

Setting each column to width: 49% resolved some issues but resulted in an unattractive appearance as the sizes varied across browsers and the right column did not align with the edge of the #frame container.

I had attempted this approach before and reverted to using tables when it appeared to be functioning properly. However, now that I discovered compatibility issues with IE, I have spent hours trying to find a cross-browser CSS solution. Any suggestions?

html css

Answer 1

Answer №1

To ensure each column takes up 50% of the width, it's important to remove any margins or paddings.

If padding is needed, consider adding an additional wrapper div with the necessary margins and padding.

To create a gutter between columns, you can apply borders to the left and right sides of the wrapper divs for a visual separation.

Providing a comprehensive code example (such as on jsbin.com) would greatly assist in understanding your issue more clearly. :)

Answer 2

To ensure each column takes up 50% of the width, it's important to remove any margins or paddings.

If padding is needed, consider adding an additional wrapper div with the necessary margins and padding.

To create a gutter between columns, you can apply borders to the left and right sides of the wrapper divs for a visual separation.

Providing a comprehensive code example (such as on jsbin.com) would greatly assist in understanding your issue more clearly. :)

Answer 3

Answer №2

Have you considered using a CSS framework such as 960gs or blueprint css? These frameworks offer absolute grid placement and are cross-browser compatible right from the start.

Answer 4

Have you considered using a CSS framework such as 960gs or blueprint css? These frameworks offer absolute grid placement and are cross-browser compatible right from the start.

Answer 5

Answer №3

If you are aware of the frame's width, you can easily follow this link

#frame {
    background-color: green;
    width: 500px;
    overflow: auto;
}

#leftCol
{
    width: 245px;
    float: left;
    background-color: red;
}

#rightCol
{
    width: 245px;
    float: right;
    background-color: blue;
}

<div id="frame">

    <div id="leftCol">
    <div id="1">blah</div>
    </div>

    <div id="rightCol">
    <div id="2">blah</div>
    <div id="3">blah</div>
    </div>

</div>

If not, you can include an additional div and refer to this resource

<div id="frame">

    <div id="leftCol">
    <div id="hack">
        <div id="1">blah</div>
    </div>
    </div>

    <div id="rightCol">
    <div id="2">blah</div>
    <div id="3">blah</div>
    </div>

</div>

#frame {
    background-color: green;
    width: 500px;
    overflow: auto;
}

#leftCol
{
    width: 50%;
    float: left;
}

#hack {
    margin-right: 10px;
    background-color: red;
}

#rightCol
{
    width: 50%;
    float: right;
    background-color: blue;
}

Answer 6

If you are aware of the frame's width, you can easily follow this link

#frame {
    background-color: green;
    width: 500px;
    overflow: auto;
}

#leftCol
{
    width: 245px;
    float: left;
    background-color: red;
}

#rightCol
{
    width: 245px;
    float: right;
    background-color: blue;
}

<div id="frame">

    <div id="leftCol">
    <div id="1">blah</div>
    </div>

    <div id="rightCol">
    <div id="2">blah</div>
    <div id="3">blah</div>
    </div>

</div>

If not, you can include an additional div and refer to this resource

<div id="frame">

    <div id="leftCol">
    <div id="hack">
        <div id="1">blah</div>
    </div>
    </div>

    <div id="rightCol">
    <div id="2">blah</div>
    <div id="3">blah</div>
    </div>

</div>

#frame {
    background-color: green;
    width: 500px;
    overflow: auto;
}

#leftCol
{
    width: 50%;
    float: left;
}

#hack {
    margin-right: 10px;
    background-color: red;
}

#rightCol
{
    width: 50%;
    float: right;
    background-color: blue;
}

Answer 7

Answer №4

Alright, let me show you how this can be accomplished.

CSS

#leftCol, #rightCol{
    width: 48%;
    float: left;
    background: red;
    box-sizing: border-box;
}

#leftCol{
    margin-right: 1%; 
}

#rightCol{ 
    margin-left: 1%; 
}

HTML

<div id="frame">

    <div id="leftcol">
      <div id="1">blah</div>
     </div>

     <div id="rightCol">
      <div id="2">blah</div>
      <div id="3">blah</div>
     </div>

</div>

If necessary, here are the vendor prefixes for box-sizing.

-moz-box-sizing: border-box; 
-webkit-box-sizing: border-box;

Note that there is a mistake in your HTML where both divs are named #leftCol. One of them should be called #rightCol.

Answer 8

Alright, let me show you how this can be accomplished.

CSS

#leftCol, #rightCol{
    width: 48%;
    float: left;
    background: red;
    box-sizing: border-box;
}

#leftCol{
    margin-right: 1%; 
}

#rightCol{ 
    margin-left: 1%; 
}

HTML

<div id="frame">

    <div id="leftcol">
      <div id="1">blah</div>
     </div>

     <div id="rightCol">
      <div id="2">blah</div>
      <div id="3">blah</div>
     </div>

</div>

If necessary, here are the vendor prefixes for box-sizing.

-moz-box-sizing: border-box; 
-webkit-box-sizing: border-box;

Note that there is a mistake in your HTML where both divs are named #leftCol. One of them should be called #rightCol.

Dividing the content: A two-column CSS layout

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

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