Outline along a single edge

Question

Outline along a single edge

Is there a way to add an inset border to an HTML element on just one side, without using an image as a background? I've been stretching and positioning images for this purpose in the past, but I recently discovered the outline CSS property. However, it seems to apply the outline to the entire block rather than just one side. Is there a way to achieve this with the outline property, or is there another CSS trick that could be used to replace the background image while still allowing for customization of colors later on?

Here's an example of what I'm trying to accomplish:

html css

Answer 1

Answer №1

To create an outline on one side, you can utilize the CSS property box-shadow. Similar to outline, box-shadow does not affect the size of the box model.

This code snippet adds a line at the top:

box-shadow: 0 -1px 0 #000;

Check out this demonstration on jsFiddle here.

The syntax for box-shadow is:

box-shadow: offset-x | offset-y | blur-radius | color

INSET

To create an inset border, use the inset keyword. This will produce an inset line at the top:

box-shadow: 0 1px 0 #000 inset;

You can add multiple lines by separating them with commas. For example, to have an inset line at both the top and left sides:

box-shadow: 0 1px 0 #000 inset,
            1px 0 0 #000 inset;

For more information on how box-shadow functions, refer to the MDN page.

Answer 2

To create an outline on one side, you can utilize the CSS property box-shadow. Similar to outline, box-shadow does not affect the size of the box model.

This code snippet adds a line at the top:

box-shadow: 0 -1px 0 #000;

Check out this demonstration on jsFiddle here.

The syntax for box-shadow is:

box-shadow: offset-x | offset-y | blur-radius | color

INSET

To create an inset border, use the inset keyword. This will produce an inset line at the top:

box-shadow: 0 1px 0 #000 inset;

You can add multiple lines by separating them with commas. For example, to have an inset line at both the top and left sides:

box-shadow: 0 1px 0 #000 inset,
            1px 0 0 #000 inset;

For more information on how box-shadow functions, refer to the MDN page.

Answer 3

Answer №2

It is true that the outline applies to the whole element when implemented.

After viewing your image, I can explain how to achieve the desired outcome.

.element {
  padding: 5px 0;
  background: #CCC;
}
.element:before {
  content: "\a0";
  display: block;
  padding: 2px 0;
  line-height: 1px;
  border-top: 1px dashed #000; 
}
.element p {
  padding: 0 10px;
}

<div class="element">
  <p>Some content comes here...</p>
</div>

(Alternatively, view the external demo.)

The sizes and colors mentioned are placeholders, so feel free to modify them to achieve the exact look you want.

Important reminder: The .element must have display:block; (default for a div) for this technique to work. If it's not already set, kindly provide your complete code for further assistance.

Answer 4

It is true that the outline applies to the whole element when implemented.

After viewing your image, I can explain how to achieve the desired outcome.

.element {
  padding: 5px 0;
  background: #CCC;
}
.element:before {
  content: "\a0";
  display: block;
  padding: 2px 0;
  line-height: 1px;
  border-top: 1px dashed #000; 
}
.element p {
  padding: 0 10px;
}

<div class="element">
  <p>Some content comes here...</p>
</div>

(Alternatively, view the external demo.)

The sizes and colors mentioned are placeholders, so feel free to modify them to achieve the exact look you want.

Important reminder: The .element must have display:block; (default for a div) for this technique to work. If it's not already set, kindly provide your complete code for further assistance.

Answer 5

Answer №3

Experiment with Shadow for a Border Effect

border-bottom: 5px solid #fff;
box-shadow: 0 5px 0 #ffbf0e;

Answer 6

Experiment with Shadow for a Border Effect

border-bottom: 5px solid #fff;
box-shadow: 0 5px 0 #ffbf0e;

Answer 7

Answer №4

Although this discussion may be dated, I still believe in finding concise solutions rather than following Giona's lengthy answer.

[contenteditable] {
    border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;
    &:focus {outline: none; border-bottom: 1px dashed #000;}
}

Answer 8

Although this discussion may be dated, I still believe in finding concise solutions rather than following Giona's lengthy answer.

[contenteditable] {
    border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;
    &:focus {outline: none; border-bottom: 1px dashed #000;}
}

Answer 9

Answer №5

I enjoy customizing my input field by giving it a border, eliminating the outline when focused, and highlighting the border instead:

input {
  border: 1px solid grey;

  &:focus {
    outline: none;
    border-left: 1px solid violet;
  }
 }

You can achieve a similar effect with a transparent border as well:

input {
  border: 1px solid transparent;

  &:focus {
    outline: none;
    border-left: 1px solid violet;
  }
 }

Answer 10

I enjoy customizing my input field by giving it a border, eliminating the outline when focused, and highlighting the border instead:

input {
  border: 1px solid grey;

  &:focus {
    outline: none;
    border-left: 1px solid violet;
  }
 }

You can achieve a similar effect with a transparent border as well:

input {
  border: 1px solid transparent;

  &:focus {
    outline: none;
    border-left: 1px solid violet;
  }
 }

Answer 11

Answer №6

Check out this unique solution that may come in handy

.box {
    border-bottom: 2px solid transparent;
}
.box:hover {
    border-color: #000000;
}

<div class="box">
  Your Content Here
</div>

Answer 12

Check out this unique solution that may come in handy

.box {
    border-bottom: 2px solid transparent;
}
.box:hover {
    border-color: #000000;
}

<div class="box">
  Your Content Here
</div>

Answer 13

Answer №7

One of the beauties of HTML/CSS is the versatility it offers, allowing for multiple ways to achieve the desired outcome. Below is an alternative solution that accomplishes the same goal:

<nav id="menu1">
    <ul>
        <li><a href="#">Menu Link 1</a></li>
        <li><a href="#">Menu Link 2</a></li>
    </ul>
</nav>

nav {
    background:#666;
    margin:1em;
    padding:.5em 0;
}
nav ul {
    border-top:1px dashed #fff;
    list-style:none;
    padding:.5em;
}
nav ul li {
    display:inline-block;
}
nav ul li a {
    color:#fff;
}

http://jsfiddle.net/10basetom/uCX3G/1/

Answer 14

One of the beauties of HTML/CSS is the versatility it offers, allowing for multiple ways to achieve the desired outcome. Below is an alternative solution that accomplishes the same goal:

<nav id="menu1">
    <ul>
        <li><a href="#">Menu Link 1</a></li>
        <li><a href="#">Menu Link 2</a></li>
    </ul>
</nav>

nav {
    background:#666;
    margin:1em;
    padding:.5em 0;
}
nav ul {
    border-top:1px dashed #fff;
    list-style:none;
    padding:.5em;
}
nav ul li {
    display:inline-block;
}
nav ul li a {
    color:#fff;
}

http://jsfiddle.net/10basetom/uCX3G/1/

Answer 15

Answer №8

having just one side with an outline won't suffice; it's advisable to employ the use of border-left/right/top/bottom

If I understand your feedback correctly.

Answer 16

having just one side with an outline won't suffice; it's advisable to employ the use of border-left/right/top/bottom

If I understand your feedback correctly.

Outline along a single edge

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

Answer №5

Answer №6

Answer №7

Answer №8

Similar questions

Ensure that text input is restricted from containing any HTML or script tags when utilizing the Web API within an HTML page

Designing a structure with a stationary header, immobile sidebar navigation, and unchanging content using flexbox styling

Should the event happen inside a div section

Tips for positioning text above a dashed line in the blade template using Laravel and Bootstrap 4

Arranging Functions in JavaScript

Using CSS margins for elements lacking specific widths

What is the best way to increase the spacing between buttons in a Bootstrap navigation bar?

What is the best way to input individual students' CA and exam scores into distinct fields and then calculate their total scores in a separate text field?

Styling Fonts in Safari with CSS

Update a div's content with a click

How can I set a dropdown back to the first index in MVC?

What could be causing this unexpected delay?

Bottom-aligning text in Tailwind CSS

"Enhance Your Slide Up/Down Menu with a Unique Hover Effect in jQuery

Arrange database by website domain in PHP

Limit text to two lines inside a cell in a table

jQuery regex failing to display latest changes

Learn how to dynamically disable or hide the "Today" button in an angular-ui datepicker based on whether it is the weekend

Issue with grid element not properly scaling using the transform:scale property

Trimming Picture on User's Device