What causes my columns to wrap when the window is resized?

Question

What causes my columns to wrap when the window is resized?

I am having trouble implementing a four-column layout on my webpage that maintains its structure when the browser window is resized. I followed a tutorial to create it, but now I can't seem to find it. The columns look fine initially, but as soon as I resize the browser window, the third and fourth columns start wrapping under the first two. Can someone help me identify why this is happening?

#ColumnMain {
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  float: left;
  margin-left: auto;
  margin-right: auto;
  min-width: 44%
}

.col1 {
  float: left;
  padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;
  margin: 0;
  width: 350px;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

.col2 {
  float: left;
  padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;
  margin-left: 10px;
  width: 22%;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

.col3 {
  float: right;
  padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;
  margin: 0;
  width: 22%;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.col4 {
  float: right;
  padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;
  margin-right: 10px;
  width: 22%;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
  Overflow: hidden;
}

<div class="columns" id="ColumnMain">
  <div class="col1">content-1</div>
  <div class="col2">content-2</div>
  <div class="col3">content-3</div>
  <div class="col4">content-4</div>
</div>

html css multiple-columns word-wrap

Answer 1

Answer №1

When you set a fixed width for the first columns, it can disrupt the flow of the layout and cause the last divs to be pushed back. To maintain a fixed width for the first div while keeping all divs inline, you can utilize the display: table; layout. This ensures that the first div maintains its size while allowing the other divs to adjust dynamically.

#ColumnMain {
  display: block;
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  margin-left: auto;
  margin-right: auto;
  min-width: 44%
}

.col {
  display: table-cell;
  padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

.col1 {
  margin: 0;
  width: 350px;
}

.col2 {
  margin-left: 10px;
  width: 22%;
}

.col3 {
  margin: 0;
  width: 22%;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.col4 {
  margin-right: 10px;
  width: 22%;
  overflow: hidden;
}

<div class="columns" id="ColumnMain">
  <div class="col col1">content</div>
  <div class="col col2">content</div>
  <div class="col col3">content</div>
  <div class="col col4">content</div>
</div>

Answer 2

When you set a fixed width for the first columns, it can disrupt the flow of the layout and cause the last divs to be pushed back. To maintain a fixed width for the first div while keeping all divs inline, you can utilize the display: table; layout. This ensures that the first div maintains its size while allowing the other divs to adjust dynamically.

#ColumnMain {
  display: block;
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  margin-left: auto;
  margin-right: auto;
  min-width: 44%
}

.col {
  display: table-cell;
  padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

.col1 {
  margin: 0;
  width: 350px;
}

.col2 {
  margin-left: 10px;
  width: 22%;
}

.col3 {
  margin: 0;
  width: 22%;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.col4 {
  margin-right: 10px;
  width: 22%;
  overflow: hidden;
}

<div class="columns" id="ColumnMain">
  <div class="col col1">content</div>
  <div class="col col2">content</div>
  <div class="col col3">content</div>
  <div class="col col4">content</div>
</div>

Answer 3

Answer №2

When setting different widths for the first column and other columns, in order to make them resizable they must be given percentage width or alternatively you can use bootstrap CSS.

Additionally, margins will not work well with the same percentage width. In such cases, you need to calculate each column's width after applying margin/padding relative to the window/document width, and then apply it in the width style. Also, ensure that this calculation is done on the window resize event as well.

To resolve this issue, remove margin from your column style and add the following property:

box-sizing:border-box;

For testing purposes, I have adjusted the first column width to 200px. It would be better to assign a 25% width to each column for testing.

#ColumnMain {
      width: 100%;
      height: auto;
      float: left;
      margin-left: auto;
      margin-right: auto;
      min-width: 44%
    }

    .col1 {
      float: left;
      padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;      
      width: 200px;
      height: 100px;
      border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
      box-sizing:border-box;
    }

    .col2 {
      float: left;
      padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;      
      width: 22%;
      height: 100px;
      border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
      box-sizing:border-box;
    }

    .col3 {
      float: left;
      padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;     
      width: 22%;
      height: 100px;
      border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
      overflow: hidden;
      box-sizing:border-box;
    }

    .col4 {
      float: left;
      padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;     
      width: 22%;
      height: 100px;
      border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
      Overflow: hidden;
      box-sizing:border-box;
    }

<div class="columns" id="ColumnMain">
  <div class="col1">content</div>
  <div class="col2">content</div>
  <div class="col3">content</div>
  <div class="col4">content</div>
</div>

Answer 4

When setting different widths for the first column and other columns, in order to make them resizable they must be given percentage width or alternatively you can use bootstrap CSS.

Additionally, margins will not work well with the same percentage width. In such cases, you need to calculate each column's width after applying margin/padding relative to the window/document width, and then apply it in the width style. Also, ensure that this calculation is done on the window resize event as well.

To resolve this issue, remove margin from your column style and add the following property:

box-sizing:border-box;

For testing purposes, I have adjusted the first column width to 200px. It would be better to assign a 25% width to each column for testing.

#ColumnMain {
      width: 100%;
      height: auto;
      float: left;
      margin-left: auto;
      margin-right: auto;
      min-width: 44%
    }

    .col1 {
      float: left;
      padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;      
      width: 200px;
      height: 100px;
      border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
      box-sizing:border-box;
    }

    .col2 {
      float: left;
      padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;      
      width: 22%;
      height: 100px;
      border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
      box-sizing:border-box;
    }

    .col3 {
      float: left;
      padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;     
      width: 22%;
      height: 100px;
      border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
      overflow: hidden;
      box-sizing:border-box;
    }

    .col4 {
      float: left;
      padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;     
      width: 22%;
      height: 100px;
      border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
      Overflow: hidden;
      box-sizing:border-box;
    }

<div class="columns" id="ColumnMain">
  <div class="col1">content</div>
  <div class="col2">content</div>
  <div class="col3">content</div>
  <div class="col4">content</div>
</div>

Answer 5

Answer №3

The col1 element has a fixed width of 350px. When it reaches a specific size, adding 22% + 22% + 22% + 350px surpasses the width of ColumnMain. This causes some columns to be pushed down in order for all elements to fit within the given space.

Answer 6

The col1 element has a fixed width of 350px. When it reaches a specific size, adding 22% + 22% + 22% + 350px surpasses the width of ColumnMain. This causes some columns to be pushed down in order for all elements to fit within the given space.

Answer 7

Answer №4

The issue causing your div elements to stack on top of each other is primarily due to the predefined widths set on the individual .col classes. When the browser resizes and reaches those specific widths, it becomes unable to accommodate all the elements within a single row, hence resulting in the divs wrapping underneath each other.

Answer 8

The issue causing your div elements to stack on top of each other is primarily due to the predefined widths set on the individual .col classes. When the browser resizes and reaches those specific widths, it becomes unable to accommodate all the elements within a single row, hence resulting in the divs wrapping underneath each other.

Answer 9

Answer №5

To simplify and streamline your CSS code, consider rewriting it to only require one selector for columns. This approach makes maintenance and updates much easier. By making changes in one location, such as adjusting the border or padding, it will automatically apply to all elements with the specified class. Below is a condensed version of the code to achieve your desired layout:

.col {
  float: left;
  padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;
  margin: 0;
  width: 25%;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

<div>
  <div class="col">content</div>
  <div class="col">content</div>
  <div class="col">content</div>
  <div class="col">content</div>
</div>

For a visual representation of the output, refer to this gifv link: http://i.imgur.com/VgBByqf.gifv

If you decide to remove the border line before the first column (left-most column), simply add this pseudo-class below your .col selector in the CSS code:

.col:first-child {
  border-left: none;
}

Answer 10

To simplify and streamline your CSS code, consider rewriting it to only require one selector for columns. This approach makes maintenance and updates much easier. By making changes in one location, such as adjusting the border or padding, it will automatically apply to all elements with the specified class. Below is a condensed version of the code to achieve your desired layout:

.col {
  float: left;
  padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;
  margin: 0;
  width: 25%;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

<div>
  <div class="col">content</div>
  <div class="col">content</div>
  <div class="col">content</div>
  <div class="col">content</div>
</div>

For a visual representation of the output, refer to this gifv link: http://i.imgur.com/VgBByqf.gifv

If you decide to remove the border line before the first column (left-most column), simply add this pseudo-class below your .col selector in the CSS code:

.col:first-child {
  border-left: none;
}

Answer 11

Answer №6

<html>
        <head>    
        <style> 
        .cols_ex {     
         -webkit-columns: 4 10px;     
         -moz-columns: 4 10px;    
          columns: 4 10px;     
         -webkit-column-gap: 2em;     
         -moz-column-gap: 2em;     
          column-gap: 2em;     
         -webkit-column-rule: 2px dashed gray;    
         -moz-column-rule: 2px dashed gray;    
          column-rule: 2px dashed gray; 
       }  
       </style> 
       </head> 
       <body>    
       <div class="cols_ex">         
        <p>At that instant, her head made contact with the hall's ceiling: she had grown beyond nine feet tall, quickly grabbing the little golden key and rushing to the garden door.</p>        
        <p>Poor Alice! It was a struggle for her to lie on one side and peek into the garden with just one eye; however, crossing over seemed more impossible than ever: she slumped down, tears streaming once again.</p>        
        <p>"You should feel ashamed," scolded Alice, "a big girl like yourself" (she had every right to say this), "to keep sobbing in such a manner! Stop this instance, I demand you!"</p>         
        <p>Nevertheless, she continued weeping, shedding gallons of tears until there formed a sizable pool around her, about four inches deep, stretching halfway through the hall.</p>     
       </div>
       </body> 


</html>

Answer 12

<html>
        <head>    
        <style> 
        .cols_ex {     
         -webkit-columns: 4 10px;     
         -moz-columns: 4 10px;    
          columns: 4 10px;     
         -webkit-column-gap: 2em;     
         -moz-column-gap: 2em;     
          column-gap: 2em;     
         -webkit-column-rule: 2px dashed gray;    
         -moz-column-rule: 2px dashed gray;    
          column-rule: 2px dashed gray; 
       }  
       </style> 
       </head> 
       <body>    
       <div class="cols_ex">         
        <p>At that instant, her head made contact with the hall's ceiling: she had grown beyond nine feet tall, quickly grabbing the little golden key and rushing to the garden door.</p>        
        <p>Poor Alice! It was a struggle for her to lie on one side and peek into the garden with just one eye; however, crossing over seemed more impossible than ever: she slumped down, tears streaming once again.</p>        
        <p>"You should feel ashamed," scolded Alice, "a big girl like yourself" (she had every right to say this), "to keep sobbing in such a manner! Stop this instance, I demand you!"</p>         
        <p>Nevertheless, she continued weeping, shedding gallons of tears until there formed a sizable pool around her, about four inches deep, stretching halfway through the hall.</p>     
       </div>
       </body> 


</html>

Answer 13

Answer №7

Like many have mentioned before, the width of .col1 is fixed, so when combined with percentage-based widths on other columns, the total width may exceed 100% and cause wrapping.

A more contemporary approach to creating a row of columns like this is by utilizing display: flex, which will align them in a row without wrapping (unless specified via flex-wrap).

Below is an illustration of using a @media query to adjust the layout of columns/rows at different screen sizes.

.columns {
  min-width: 44%;
  margin: auto;
  display: flex;
}

.col {
  padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;
}

.col1 {
  width: 350px;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

.col2 {
  margin-left: 10px;
  width: 22%;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

.col3 {
  width: 22%;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

.col4 {
  margin-right: 10px;
  width: 22%;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

@media (max-width: 420px) {
  .columns {
    flex-direction: column;
  }
  .col {
    margin: 0;
    width: auto;
  }
}

<div class="columns" id="ColumnMain">
  <div class="col1 col">content</div>
  <div class="col2 col">content</div>
  <div class="col3 col">content</div>
  <div class="col4 col">content</div>
</div>

Answer 14

Like many have mentioned before, the width of .col1 is fixed, so when combined with percentage-based widths on other columns, the total width may exceed 100% and cause wrapping.

A more contemporary approach to creating a row of columns like this is by utilizing display: flex, which will align them in a row without wrapping (unless specified via flex-wrap).

Below is an illustration of using a @media query to adjust the layout of columns/rows at different screen sizes.

.columns {
  min-width: 44%;
  margin: auto;
  display: flex;
}

.col {
  padding: 10px 20px 15px 20px;
}

.col1 {
  width: 350px;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

.col2 {
  margin-left: 10px;
  width: 22%;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

.col3 {
  width: 22%;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

.col4 {
  margin-right: 10px;
  width: 22%;
  height: 100px;
  border-left: solid 1px #35488C;
}

@media (max-width: 420px) {
  .columns {
    flex-direction: column;
  }
  .col {
    margin: 0;
    width: auto;
  }
}

<div class="columns" id="ColumnMain">
  <div class="col1 col">content</div>
  <div class="col2 col">content</div>
  <div class="col3 col">content</div>
  <div class="col4 col">content</div>
</div>

What causes my columns to wrap when the window is resized?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

Answer №5

Answer №6

Answer №7

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