Organize a series of <span> elements into rows and columns through the use of CSS, JavaScript, or jQuery

Question

Organize a series of <span> elements into rows and columns through the use of CSS, JavaScript, or jQuery

Task: Your challenge is to display a list of span elements in both vertical and horizontal layouts without altering the HTML structure.

Input: an unknown number of span elements within a parent span like the example below:

<span id="parent">
<span id="child-1">1</span>
<span id="child-2">2</span>
<span id="child-3">3</span>
<span id="child-4">4</span>
<span id="child-5">5</span>
<span id="child-6">6</span>
<span id="child-7">7</span>
<span id="child-8">8</span>
<span id="child-9">9</span>
<span id="child-10">10</span>
...
...
...
</span>

Output: Using CSS classes and JavaScript/jQuery, arrange the child-spans in N rows and M columns as specified. The number of rows (N) and columns (M) will vary, so adding additional HTML elements within the parent span is not allowed.

For example, if you have 12 child-spans and N=4 and M=3:

Horizontal order:

Vertical order:

Good luck with the challenge!

javascript jquery html css

Answer 1

Answer №1

To start, ensure that the inner spans have their float style set to "left" within a static style block. Additionally, assign them a constant width to ensure they can fit within columns.

<style type="text/css>
    #parent span { float: left; display: block; width: 100px; }
</style>

Next, use JavaScript to rearrange the spans by appending them back to the parent element in the correct order. Modify the clear style dynamically to separate rows. Here is an example code snippet:

function arrangeInHorizontalOrder(rows, cols)
{
    var parent = document.getElementById("parent");
    for (var row = 0; row < rows; ++row)
    {
        for (var col = 0; col < cols; ++col)
        {
            var index = 1 + col + row * cols;
            var span = document.getElementById("child-" + index);
            if (span)
            {
                span.style.clear = col ? "none" : "left";
                parent.appendChild(span);
            }
        }
    }
}

function arrangeInVerticalOrder(rows, cols)
{
    var parent = document.getElementById("parent");
    for (var row = 0; row < rows; ++row)
    {
        for (var col = 0; col < cols; ++col)
        {
            var index = 1 + row + col * rows;
            var span = document.getElementById("child-" + index);
            if (span)
            {
                span.style.clear = col ? "none" : "left";
                parent.appendChild(span);
            }
        }
    }
}

Keep in mind that the only difference between the two functions lies in the index calculation.

Answer 2

To start, ensure that the inner spans have their float style set to "left" within a static style block. Additionally, assign them a constant width to ensure they can fit within columns.

<style type="text/css>
    #parent span { float: left; display: block; width: 100px; }
</style>

Next, use JavaScript to rearrange the spans by appending them back to the parent element in the correct order. Modify the clear style dynamically to separate rows. Here is an example code snippet:

function arrangeInHorizontalOrder(rows, cols)
{
    var parent = document.getElementById("parent");
    for (var row = 0; row < rows; ++row)
    {
        for (var col = 0; col < cols; ++col)
        {
            var index = 1 + col + row * cols;
            var span = document.getElementById("child-" + index);
            if (span)
            {
                span.style.clear = col ? "none" : "left";
                parent.appendChild(span);
            }
        }
    }
}

function arrangeInVerticalOrder(rows, cols)
{
    var parent = document.getElementById("parent");
    for (var row = 0; row < rows; ++row)
    {
        for (var col = 0; col < cols; ++col)
        {
            var index = 1 + row + col * rows;
            var span = document.getElementById("child-" + index);
            if (span)
            {
                span.style.clear = col ? "none" : "left";
                parent.appendChild(span);
            }
        }
    }
}

Keep in mind that the only difference between the two functions lies in the index calculation.

Answer 3

Answer №2

To achieve the desired column layout, the CSS styling is used for the columns, while the order of the columns can be manipulated using JavaScript.

Each span element is given a fixed width, and then the parent span is assigned a fixed width that accommodates the specified number of columns.

<style type="text/css">
#parent {
  display: block;
  width: 5em;
  border: 1px solid red
}

#parent span {
  width: 1.3em;
  border: 1px solid blue;
}
</style>

<span id="parent">
  <span id="0">0</span>
  <span id="1">1</span>
  <span id="2">2</span>
  <span id="3">3</span>
  <span id="4">4</span>
  <span id="5">5</span>
  <span id="6">6</span>
  <span id="7">7</span>
  <span id="8">8</span>
  <span id="9">9</span>
  <span id="10">10</span>
  <span id="11">11</span>
</span>

Answer 4

To achieve the desired column layout, the CSS styling is used for the columns, while the order of the columns can be manipulated using JavaScript.

Each span element is given a fixed width, and then the parent span is assigned a fixed width that accommodates the specified number of columns.

<style type="text/css">
#parent {
  display: block;
  width: 5em;
  border: 1px solid red
}

#parent span {
  width: 1.3em;
  border: 1px solid blue;
}
</style>

<span id="parent">
  <span id="0">0</span>
  <span id="1">1</span>
  <span id="2">2</span>
  <span id="3">3</span>
  <span id="4">4</span>
  <span id="5">5</span>
  <span id="6">6</span>
  <span id="7">7</span>
  <span id="8">8</span>
  <span id="9">9</span>
  <span id="10">10</span>
  <span id="11">11</span>
</span>

Answer 5

Answer №3

Here is a simple solution for aligning items horizontally:

$('#parent').css('text-align','left').children().each(function(i){if((i+1)%3==0) $(this).after('<br>')})

However, we are still in search of an alternative solution for arranging items vertically...

Answer 6

Here is a simple solution for aligning items horizontally:

$('#parent').css('text-align','left').children().each(function(i){if((i+1)%3==0) $(this).after('<br>')})

However, we are still in search of an alternative solution for arranging items vertically...

Organize a series of <span> elements into rows and columns through the use of CSS, JavaScript, or jQuery

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Similar questions

Using Selenium to trigger a click event on an ng-click directive in AngularJS is not functioning properly

Do arrays permanently retain the strings stored within them?

Tips for repairing the gray margins on the right and left sides of a webpage

The execution of jQuery Ajax requests with "when" is encountering issues

Step-by-step guide on implementing a border-bottom for an active link

What is the process for invoking a JavaScript function from the code-behind of an Asp.Net application?

What is the best way to duplicate a Typescript class object while making changes to specific properties?

Leveraging Multiple MongoDB Databases in Meteor.js

Creating Header Images for Websites, like the way Facebook does

Need to conceal certain images in Isotope, but ensure they can easily be revealed when necessary?

What is the best way to display jQuery/AJAX response in a table cell?

What could be causing my hamburger icon to malfunction?

Navigating the process of returning a list from an AJAX method to a view through a controller in ASP.NET MVC

Angular utilizes ZoneAwarePromise rather than a plain String output

Is it possible to distinguish and identify each separate window when a user opens multiple instances of your site?

Leverage HTML within JSON for a multilingual website using i18next with Next.js

Unusual thin border of white pixels on IE 9

Transform object into JSON format

Not every situation calls for the same type of styling

HTML/ModX styling for selected textboxes