The use of absolute positioning in conjunction with overflow:hidden

Question

The use of absolute positioning in conjunction with overflow:hidden

<div id="container" style="overflow:hidden; position:relative;">
  <div id="content" style="position:absolute;">
  </div>
</div>

Is it possible to display the content element which is larger than its parent container, while still keeping overflow hidden? The parent container has a CSS of position:relative;. Currently, the content element gets cut off as soon as it exceeds the borders of its parent.

(Please note that additional CSS properties are defined for these elements, I have only included inline styles for clarity)

html css

Answer 1

Answer №1

Trying to achieve the desired outcome using both overflow: hidden and position: relative on the parent div is not feasible. Instead, consider adding an additional child div and applying the overflow: hidden property there.

For reference: http://jsfiddle.net/thirtydot/TFTnU/

HTML:

<div id="parent">
    <div id="hideOverflow">
        <div style="width:1000px;background:#ccc"&rt;sdfsd</div>
    </div>
  <div id="child">overflow "visible"</div>
&trt;</div>

CSS:

#parent {
    position:relative;
    background:red;
    width:100px;
    height:100px
}
#child {
    position:absolute;
    background:#f0f;
    width:300px;
    bottom: 0;
    left: 0
}
#hideOverflow {
    overflow: hidden
}

#parent {
  position: relative;
  background: red;
  width: 100px;
  height: 100px
}

#child {
  position: absolute;
  background: #f0f;
  width: 300px;
  bottom: 0;
  left: 0
}

#hideOverflow {
  overflow: hidden
}

<div id="parent">
  <div id="hideOverflow">
    <div style="width:1000px;background:#ccc">sdfsd</div>
  </div>
  <div id="child">overflow "visible"</div>
</div>

Answer 2

Trying to achieve the desired outcome using both overflow: hidden and position: relative on the parent div is not feasible. Instead, consider adding an additional child div and applying the overflow: hidden property there.

For reference: http://jsfiddle.net/thirtydot/TFTnU/

HTML:

<div id="parent">
    <div id="hideOverflow">
        <div style="width:1000px;background:#ccc"&rt;sdfsd</div>
    </div>
  <div id="child">overflow "visible"</div>
&trt;</div>

CSS:

#parent {
    position:relative;
    background:red;
    width:100px;
    height:100px
}
#child {
    position:absolute;
    background:#f0f;
    width:300px;
    bottom: 0;
    left: 0
}
#hideOverflow {
    overflow: hidden
}

#parent {
  position: relative;
  background: red;
  width: 100px;
  height: 100px
}

#child {
  position: absolute;
  background: #f0f;
  width: 300px;
  bottom: 0;
  left: 0
}

#hideOverflow {
  overflow: hidden
}

<div id="parent">
  <div id="hideOverflow">
    <div style="width:1000px;background:#ccc">sdfsd</div>
  </div>
  <div id="child">overflow "visible"</div>
</div>

Answer 3

Answer №2

This snippet of code functions flawlessly.

<div id="container" style="position: relative;">
    <div id="wrapper" style="overflow: hidden;">
        <div id="element" style="position: absolute;">
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

Answer 4

This snippet of code functions flawlessly.

<div id="container" style="position: relative;">
    <div id="wrapper" style="overflow: hidden;">
        <div id="element" style="position: absolute;">
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

Answer 5

Answer №3

The issue has a specific name: "offsetParent". When an element is assigned a position of absolute|relative or undergoes a transformation that changes its position/size, it becomes the offsetParent for its child elements. Initially, the offsetParent for all elements is the viewport of the browser or the iFrame, which dictates where overflowing content will be displayed and provides a reference point for absolute positioning.

In one of my projects, I encountered a situation where a 'popup' window contained a dropdown menu that extended beyond the window's boundaries. However, when the window was moved using a transformation or relative positioning, the dropdown would appear in the wrong location (with additional offsets from the top-left corner of the window) and be clipped at the window's edges. To address this, I positioned the dropdown absolutely by appending it as a child of the Body element instead of the window. I calculated the absolute position of the dropdown based on the button that triggered the menu (using clientBoundingBox) and adjusted for the offset from the button's offsetParent. This ensured that the Body element served as the new bounding area. Although this approach became more complex with multiple z-axis levels, it was sufficient considering that the window needed to remain visible for the menu to open effectively. This solution involved using JavaScript rather than relying solely on CSS.

You can't have it both ways. Once you remove something from the original layout context, it establishes its own, separate (and constrained) layout parameters.

Answer 6

The issue has a specific name: "offsetParent". When an element is assigned a position of absolute|relative or undergoes a transformation that changes its position/size, it becomes the offsetParent for its child elements. Initially, the offsetParent for all elements is the viewport of the browser or the iFrame, which dictates where overflowing content will be displayed and provides a reference point for absolute positioning.

In one of my projects, I encountered a situation where a 'popup' window contained a dropdown menu that extended beyond the window's boundaries. However, when the window was moved using a transformation or relative positioning, the dropdown would appear in the wrong location (with additional offsets from the top-left corner of the window) and be clipped at the window's edges. To address this, I positioned the dropdown absolutely by appending it as a child of the Body element instead of the window. I calculated the absolute position of the dropdown based on the button that triggered the menu (using clientBoundingBox) and adjusted for the offset from the button's offsetParent. This ensured that the Body element served as the new bounding area. Although this approach became more complex with multiple z-axis levels, it was sufficient considering that the window needed to remain visible for the menu to open effectively. This solution involved using JavaScript rather than relying solely on CSS.

You can't have it both ways. Once you remove something from the original layout context, it establishes its own, separate (and constrained) layout parameters.

Answer 7

Answer №4

My go-to method for clearfix is usually using overflow:hidden, but there are times when I need to take a different approach. In those cases, I opt to add an extra div instead.

<div id="wrapper" style="position:relative;">
  <!-- floating elements inside -->
  <div id="content" style="position:absolute;"></div>
  <div style="clear:both"></div>
</div>

Answer 8

My go-to method for clearfix is usually using overflow:hidden, but there are times when I need to take a different approach. In those cases, I opt to add an extra div instead.

<div id="wrapper" style="position:relative;">
  <!-- floating elements inside -->
  <div id="content" style="position:absolute;"></div>
  <div style="clear:both"></div>
</div>

Answer 9

Answer №5

Try using css...

* {margin: 0; padding: 0;}

#parent {width: auto; overflow: hidden;}

#child {position: absolute; width: auto;}

By setting the width to auto, the element will adjust to the smallest possible size. The reset ensures a natural flow in the layout.

If the child element is larger than the parent, some limitations may occur. However, this CSS approach should provide optimal results within those constraints.

Answer 10

Try using css...

* {margin: 0; padding: 0;}

#parent {width: auto; overflow: hidden;}

#child {position: absolute; width: auto;}

By setting the width to auto, the element will adjust to the smallest possible size. The reset ensures a natural flow in the layout.

If the child element is larger than the parent, some limitations may occur. However, this CSS approach should provide optimal results within those constraints.

Answer 11

Answer №6

thirtydot's solution presents an innovative approach.

For a better understanding, take a look at this example: http://jsfiddle.net/y9dtL68d/

HTML

<div id="grandparent">
    <div id="parent">
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
    </div>
    <div id="child">
        dudes
    </div>    
</div>

CSS

#grandparent {
    position: relative;
    width: 150px;
    height: 150px;
    margin: 20px;
    background: #d0d0d0;
}
#parent {
    width: 150px;
    height: 150px;
    overflow:hidden;
}
#child {
    position: absolute;
    background: red;
    color: white;
    left: 100%;
    top: 0;
}

Answer 12

thirtydot's solution presents an innovative approach.

For a better understanding, take a look at this example: http://jsfiddle.net/y9dtL68d/

HTML

<div id="grandparent">
    <div id="parent">
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
        <p>this has a lot of content which ...</p>
    </div>
    <div id="child">
        dudes
    </div>    
</div>

CSS

#grandparent {
    position: relative;
    width: 150px;
    height: 150px;
    margin: 20px;
    background: #d0d0d0;
}
#parent {
    width: 150px;
    height: 150px;
    overflow:hidden;
}
#child {
    position: absolute;
    background: red;
    color: white;
    left: 100%;
    top: 0;
}

Answer 13

Answer №7

It's a common scenario for front-end developers to face this challenge at least once. Picture this: you need to absolutely position an element... You start moving it in a certain direction, only to realize it has vanished into thin air. The culprit? The parent container set to overflow:hidden, causing your element to get lost in the abyss of hidden space. But fear not, there's a neat CSS trick to solve this issue. Check out the demo example below:

<br><br><br>
<div class="grand-parent">
  <div class="parent">P
    <div class="child">child</div>
  </div>
</div>
css code:


.grand-parent {
  width:50px;
  height:50px;
  position:relative;
  background-color: grey;
}
.parent {
  width:10px;
  height:30px;
  overflow:hidden;
  background-color: blue;
}
.child {
  position:absolute; 
  width:50px;
  height:20px;
  background-color: red;
  top:-10px; 
  left:5px;
}

Answer 14

It's a common scenario for front-end developers to face this challenge at least once. Picture this: you need to absolutely position an element... You start moving it in a certain direction, only to realize it has vanished into thin air. The culprit? The parent container set to overflow:hidden, causing your element to get lost in the abyss of hidden space. But fear not, there's a neat CSS trick to solve this issue. Check out the demo example below:

<br><br><br>
<div class="grand-parent">
  <div class="parent">P
    <div class="child">child</div>
  </div>
</div>
css code:


.grand-parent {
  width:50px;
  height:50px;
  position:relative;
  background-color: grey;
}
.parent {
  width:10px;
  height:30px;
  overflow:hidden;
  background-color: blue;
}
.child {
  position:absolute; 
  width:50px;
  height:20px;
  background-color: red;
  top:-10px; 
  left:5px;
}

The use of absolute positioning in conjunction with overflow:hidden

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

Answer №5

Answer №6

Answer №7

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