What can be done to maintain column placement when using grid-row span?

Question

What can be done to maintain column placement when using grid-row span?

In my CSS Grid layout, I have a 3 x 3 grid setup.

Within a row, I have three items labeled A, B, and C.

I am trying to make item C span two rows using grid-row: 1 / span 2, but it's not appearing in the correct column. It's showing up in the first column instead of the third where it should be.

I want to keep item C in its original place within the HTML structure.

One solution is to explicitly set grid-column: 3 / span 1, but I prefer not to do this. I want the items to be displayed as they are in the HTML.

Is there a way to prevent this unexpected behavior?

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(3, 1fr);
}

h1 {
  border: 2px solid;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 20px;
}

.a {
  grid-row: 1 / span 2;
  background: orange;
}

<div class="grid-container">
  <div>
    <h1>A</h1>
  </div>
  <div>
    <h1>B</h1>
  </div>
  <div class="a">
    <h1>C</h1>
  </div>
</div>

html css css-grid

Answer 1

Answer №1

Here is an alternative solution that sheds light on the reason behind specifying a row for the other items:

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(3, 1fr);
}

h1 {
  border: 2px solid;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 20px;
}

.a {
  grid-row: 1 / span 2;
  background: orange;
}

.b {
  grid-row: 1;
}

<div class="grid-container">
  <div class="b">
    <h1>A</h1>
  </div>
  <div class="b">
    <h1>B</h1>
  </div>
  <div class="a">
    <h1>C</h1>
  </div>
</div>

This behavior occurs because the more restrictive elements are positioned first, increasing the chances of the grid algorithm finding a solution.

Elements with requirements are positioned before those without requirements.

Refer to steps 2 (for a item) and 4 (for the remaining items) in this section of the specification

https://i.sstatic.net/6er5C.png

https://i.sstatic.net/BZofQ.png

Answer 2

Here is an alternative solution that sheds light on the reason behind specifying a row for the other items:

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(3, 1fr);
}

h1 {
  border: 2px solid;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 20px;
}

.a {
  grid-row: 1 / span 2;
  background: orange;
}

.b {
  grid-row: 1;
}

<div class="grid-container">
  <div class="b">
    <h1>A</h1>
  </div>
  <div class="b">
    <h1>B</h1>
  </div>
  <div class="a">
    <h1>C</h1>
  </div>
</div>

This behavior occurs because the more restrictive elements are positioned first, increasing the chances of the grid algorithm finding a solution.

Elements with requirements are positioned before those without requirements.

Refer to steps 2 (for a item) and 4 (for the remaining items) in this section of the specification

https://i.sstatic.net/6er5C.png

https://i.sstatic.net/BZofQ.png

Answer 3

Answer №2

To prevent one item from getting stuck in a specific row and blocking the flow, other grid items should also be assigned a default row.

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(3, 1fr);
}

div {
  grid-row: 1; /* Fix to set all items on the first row */
}

h1 {
  border: 2px solid;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 20px;
}

.a {
  grid-row: 1 / span 2;
  background: orange;
}

<div class="grid-container">
  <div>
    <h1>A</h1>
  </div>
  <div>
    <h1>B</h1>
  </div>
  <div class="a">
    <h1>C</h1>
  </div>
</div>

If you want to specify the grid column as well, use the following code snippet:

.a {
  grid-row: 1 / span 2;
  grid-column:3;
  background: orange;
}

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(3, 1fr);
}

h1 {
  border: 2px solid;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 20px;
}

.a {
  grid-row: 1 / span 2;
  grid-column:3;
  background: orange;
}

<div class="grid-container">
  <div>
    <h1>A</h1>
  </div>
  <div>
    <h1>B</h1>
  </div>
  <div class="a">
    <h1>C</h1>
  </div>
</div>

Alternatively, let auto placement determine the position of the element while specifying the number of rows to span only, which is a more flexible approach and simplifies the CSS rules:

.a {
  grid-row: span 2;
  background: orange;
}

Here's an example with minimal CSS rules using the .a class for automatic placement of grid items without specifying row or column numbers:

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(3, 1fr);
}

h1 {
  border: 2px solid;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 20px;
}

.a {
  grid-row: span 2;
  background: orange;
}

<div class="grid-container">
  <div>
    <h1>A</h1>
  </div>
  <div>
    <h1>B</h1>
  </div>
  <div class="a">
    <h1>C</h1>
  </div>
</div>

Answer 4

To prevent one item from getting stuck in a specific row and blocking the flow, other grid items should also be assigned a default row.

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(3, 1fr);
}

div {
  grid-row: 1; /* Fix to set all items on the first row */
}

h1 {
  border: 2px solid;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 20px;
}

.a {
  grid-row: 1 / span 2;
  background: orange;
}

<div class="grid-container">
  <div>
    <h1>A</h1>
  </div>
  <div>
    <h1>B</h1>
  </div>
  <div class="a">
    <h1>C</h1>
  </div>
</div>

If you want to specify the grid column as well, use the following code snippet:

.a {
  grid-row: 1 / span 2;
  grid-column:3;
  background: orange;
}

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(3, 1fr);
}

h1 {
  border: 2px solid;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 20px;
}

.a {
  grid-row: 1 / span 2;
  grid-column:3;
  background: orange;
}

<div class="grid-container">
  <div>
    <h1>A</h1>
  </div>
  <div>
    <h1>B</h1>
  </div>
  <div class="a">
    <h1>C</h1>
  </div>
</div>

Alternatively, let auto placement determine the position of the element while specifying the number of rows to span only, which is a more flexible approach and simplifies the CSS rules:

.a {
  grid-row: span 2;
  background: orange;
}

Here's an example with minimal CSS rules using the .a class for automatic placement of grid items without specifying row or column numbers:

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(3, 1fr);
}

h1 {
  border: 2px solid;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 20px;
}

.a {
  grid-row: span 2;
  background: orange;
}

<div class="grid-container">
  <div>
    <h1>A</h1>
  </div>
  <div>
    <h1>B</h1>
  </div>
  <div class="a">
    <h1>C</h1>
  </div>
</div>

Answer 5

Answer №3

It's evident that there is a specific element in the specification that is causing this particular behavior. At this point, the exact cause is still unclear. (Update: refer to @Vals' answer for a detailed explanation.)

Nonetheless, here is a straightforward and effective solution:

Instead of:

.a {
  grid-row: 1 / span 2;
}

Try this alternative method:

.a {
  grid-row-end: span 2;
}

Referencing the specification:

9.3. Line-based Placement: the grid-row-start, grid-column-start, grid-row-end, and grid-column-end properties

The grid-row-start, grid-column-start, grid-row-end, and grid-column-end properties define a grid item's size and position within the grid by specifying the edges of its grid area in terms of lines, spans, or auto placement.

...

For instance, using grid-column-end: span 2 refers to the second grid line in the endward direction from the grid-column-start line.

Additionally, consider implementing this single rule for complete control and efficient operation:

.a {
  grid-area: 1 / 3 /  3 / 4;
}

jsFiddle

The grid-area shorthand property interprets values in the following order:

grid-row-start
grid-column-start
grid-row-end
grid-column-end

Take note of the counterclockwise direction, contrary to margin and padding conventions.

Answer 6

It's evident that there is a specific element in the specification that is causing this particular behavior. At this point, the exact cause is still unclear. (Update: refer to @Vals' answer for a detailed explanation.)

Nonetheless, here is a straightforward and effective solution:

Instead of:

.a {
  grid-row: 1 / span 2;
}

Try this alternative method:

.a {
  grid-row-end: span 2;
}

Referencing the specification:

9.3. Line-based Placement: the grid-row-start, grid-column-start, grid-row-end, and grid-column-end properties

The grid-row-start, grid-column-start, grid-row-end, and grid-column-end properties define a grid item's size and position within the grid by specifying the edges of its grid area in terms of lines, spans, or auto placement.

...

For instance, using grid-column-end: span 2 refers to the second grid line in the endward direction from the grid-column-start line.

Additionally, consider implementing this single rule for complete control and efficient operation:

.a {
  grid-area: 1 / 3 /  3 / 4;
}

jsFiddle

The grid-area shorthand property interprets values in the following order:

grid-row-start
grid-column-start
grid-row-end
grid-column-end

Take note of the counterclockwise direction, contrary to margin and padding conventions.

What can be done to maintain column placement when using grid-row span?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

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