Tips on how to format a checkbox that is contained within a label element

Question

Tips on how to format a checkbox that is contained within a label element

My typical approach for setting up a checkbox involves using the code below:

<input ....>
<label for="...">Lorem ipsum</label>

I usually style the label to mimic a checkbox when checked or unchecked like this:

input label{....}
input::checked label{....}

However, due to a Wordpress plugin, I am now required to use this syntax:

<label>....
    <input....>
</label>

Since CSS cannot navigate the DOM in this case, my usual CSS method is not effective.

Any alternative suggestions? Maybe jQuery would work here? Or is there a CSS solution that I haven't considered?

jquery css checkbox

Answer 1

Answer №1

From what I know, CSS cannot traverse the DOM to achieve this task, as you mentioned earlier.
Regrettably, label:checked does not work either.

Therefore, a JS/jQuery solution is required:

$(function() {
  $(':checkbox').on('change', function() {
    $(this).closest('label').toggleClass('active', $(this).is(':checked') );
  });
});

label {
  border: 2px solid red;
}
.active {
  border-color: blue;
}

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>

<label>
  <input type="checkbox" />
</label>

In cases where the label precedes the input element... In such scenarios, it is recommended to use the for attribute to ensure that the label is associated with the correct input field. The code would look like this:

$(function() {
  $(':checkbox').on('change', function() {
    $('label[for='+ $(this).attr('id') + ']' ).toggleClass('active', $(this).is(':checked') );
  });
});

label {
  border: 2px solid red;
}
.active {
  border-color: blue;
}

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>

<label for="idforcheckbox">This is the label</label>
<input id="idforcheckbox" type="checkbox" />

Answer 2

From what I know, CSS cannot traverse the DOM to achieve this task, as you mentioned earlier.
Regrettably, label:checked does not work either.

Therefore, a JS/jQuery solution is required:

$(function() {
  $(':checkbox').on('change', function() {
    $(this).closest('label').toggleClass('active', $(this).is(':checked') );
  });
});

label {
  border: 2px solid red;
}
.active {
  border-color: blue;
}

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>

<label>
  <input type="checkbox" />
</label>

In cases where the label precedes the input element... In such scenarios, it is recommended to use the for attribute to ensure that the label is associated with the correct input field. The code would look like this:

$(function() {
  $(':checkbox').on('change', function() {
    $('label[for='+ $(this).attr('id') + ']' ).toggleClass('active', $(this).is(':checked') );
  });
});

label {
  border: 2px solid red;
}
.active {
  border-color: blue;
}

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>

<label for="idforcheckbox">This is the label</label>
<input id="idforcheckbox" type="checkbox" />

Answer 3

Answer №2

Yes, incorporating JavaScript is necessary for this functionality. CSS alone cannot manipulate parent elements. Consider the following jQuery snippet:

$(document).on('click','input[type="checkbox"]',function() {
  if(!$(this).is(':checked')) {
    $(this).parent().removeClass('checked');
  } else {
    $(this).parent().addClass('checked');
  }
});

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<label>
  <input type="checkbox">
</label>

Answer 4

Yes, incorporating JavaScript is necessary for this functionality. CSS alone cannot manipulate parent elements. Consider the following jQuery snippet:

$(document).on('click','input[type="checkbox"]',function() {
  if(!$(this).is(':checked')) {
    $(this).parent().removeClass('checked');
  } else {
    $(this).parent().addClass('checked');
  }
});

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<label>
  <input type="checkbox">
</label>

Answer 5

Answer №3

This technique can now be achieved using CSS alone:

label:has(input:checked) {
  /* apply styles to labels containing a checked input */
}

Apply the above selector to format the "checked" input(s).

To style the "unchecked" input(s), target the label element instead.

label {
  /* apply styles to labels containing an unchecked input */
}

For more specific targeting, consider using:

label:not(:has(input:checked)) {
  /* apply styles to labels containing an unchecked input */
}

Answer 6

This technique can now be achieved using CSS alone:

label:has(input:checked) {
  /* apply styles to labels containing a checked input */
}

Apply the above selector to format the "checked" input(s).

To style the "unchecked" input(s), target the label element instead.

label {
  /* apply styles to labels containing an unchecked input */
}

For more specific targeting, consider using:

label:not(:has(input:checked)) {
  /* apply styles to labels containing an unchecked input */
}

Tips on how to format a checkbox that is contained within a label element

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

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