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diff --git a/posts/tabbed-content.md b/posts/tabbed-content.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b016b56 --- /dev/null +++ b/posts/tabbed-content.md @@ -0,0 +1,249 @@ +# Tabbed Content Without JavaScript + +2019-01-28 + +Creating tabs is a fairly trivial and common practice in web design, but many times it requires JavaScript to properly implement. Fortunately it *is* possible to create tabbed content with only using CSS. + +![Tabbed elements with only CSS](/public/images/tabbed-content.png) + +[Live CodePen Example](https://codepen.io/bradleytaunt/pen/abjmayw) + +--- + +<div class="message"> +<p><strong>Sidenote:</strong></p> +<p>While this method is semantic and accessible, you might consider using a pre-existing plugin for tabbed data.</p> +<p>This component tends to feel a little "stiff" compared to more fleshed out variations available. This pure CSS version is better suited as a fallback for when users have disabled JavaScript.</p> +</div> + +## The HTML + +The skeleton for this component is fairly basic - we just need the following structure: + +1. Parent element for each tab item +2. Default radio input +3. Label linked to corresponding input +4. Inner content associated with each tab item + + + <!-- Simple main container for all elements --> + <div class="tabs"> + + <!-- Parent container holding for individual tab item --> + <div class="tab-item"> + + <!-- Default radio input --> + <input class="tab-input" type="radio" name="tabs" id="tab-1"> + + <!-- Label connected to radio input via `id` and `for` attributes --> + <label class="tab-label" for="tab-1">Tab 1</label> + + <!-- Full inner content of current tab item --> + <div class="tab-content">Content goes here</div> + + </div> + + </div> + + +Full HTML for reference: + + + <div class="tabs"> + + <div class="tab-item"> + <input class="tab-input" type="radio" name="tabs" id="tab-1"> + <label class="tab-label" for="tab-1">Tab 1</label> + <div class="tab-content">Content goes here</div> + </div> + + <div class="tab-item"> + <input class="tab-input" type="radio" name="tabs" id="tab-2"> + <label class="tab-label" for="tab-2">Tab 2</label> + <div class="tab-content">Content goes here</div> + </div> + + <div class="tab-item"> + <input class="tab-input" type="radio" name="tabs" id="tab-3"> + <label class="tab-label" for="tab-3">Tab 3</label> + <div class="tab-content">Content goes here</div> + </div> + + </div> + + +## The CSS + +First, we need to set each `input`, `label` and inner content into their own parent containers: + + + /* Main parent that holds all contents */ + .tabs { + height: 100%; + min-height: 250px; + position: relative; + } + + /* Each tab items (includes heading & content) */ + .tab-item { + display: inline; + } + + +Next, we will hide the default `radio` input and design our labels to resemble a basic web tab element. The `z-index` property on the label is important for how we will be stacking our content on the z-axis (labels above inner content for example). + + + /* Hide the default radio inputs */ + .tab-input { + position: absolute; + visibility: hidden; + } + + /* The main tab headings */ + .tab-label { + background: white; + box-shadow: inset 0 -4px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.02); + color: lightgrey; + cursor: pointer; + display: inline-block; + font-weight: 600; + margin: 0 5px 0 0; + padding: 10px 20px; + position: relative; + text-align: center; + z-index: 0; + } + + +The main inner content of each tab needs to have an `absolute` position set as it's default, since the one currently selected will switch to `relative` on mobile (more on that in a moment): + + + /* The inner tab content */ + .tab-content { + background: white; + bottom: 0; + box-shadow: 0 6px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.02); + left: 0; + overflow: scroll; + padding: 20px; + position: absolute; + right: 0; + top: 50px; + z-index: 0; + } + + +The final step is just telling the browser to style both the `label` and inner content of the currently selected radio `input`: + + + /* Style the currently selected tab label */ + .tab-input:checked + .tab-label { + border: 1px solid #eee; + border-bottom: 0; + box-shadow: 0 -6px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.02); + color: #268bd2; + z-index: 2; + } + + /* Show the currently selected tab content */ + .tab-input:checked ~ .tab-content { + border: 1px solid #eee; + z-index: 1; + } + + +It's as simple as that! For reference, here is the entire CSS file for easier access: + + + /* Main parent that holds all contents */ + .tabs { + height: 100%; + min-height: 250px; + position: relative; + } + + /* Each tab items (includes heading & content) */ + .tab-item { + display: inline; + } + + /* Hide the default radio inputs */ + .tab-input { + position: absolute; + visibility: hidden; + } + + /* The main tab headings */ + .tab-label { + background: white; + box-shadow: inset 0 -4px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.02); + color: lightgrey; + cursor: pointer; + display: inline-block; + font-weight: 600; + margin: 0 5px 0 0; + padding: 10px 20px; + position: relative; + text-align: center; + z-index: 0; + } + + /* The inner tab content */ + .tab-content { + background: white; + bottom: 0; + box-shadow: 0 6px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.02); + left: 0; + overflow: scroll; + padding: 20px; + position: absolute; + right: 0; + top: 50px; + z-index: 0; + } + + /* Style the currently selected tab label */ + .tab-input:checked + .tab-label { + border: 1px solid #eee; + border-bottom: 0; + box-shadow: 0 -6px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.02); + color: #268bd2; + z-index: 2; + } + + /* Show the currently selected tab content */ + .tab-input:checked ~ .tab-content { + border: 1px solid #eee; + z-index: 1; + } + + +## Don't forget about mobile + +With only a few extra lines of CSS we can ensure that our custom tabs will stack on top of each other and look solid on mobile devices: + + + @media(max-width:38em) { + .tab-label { + display: block; + width: 100%; + } + .tab-content { + display: none; + } + .tab-input:checked ~ .tab-content { + bottom: auto; + display: block; + position: relative; + top: auto; + } + } + + +## One minor caveat + +Even though I'm a pretty big fan of implementing tabs this way, there is a small drawback: + +The `height` of the inner content doesn't grow dynamically since it defaults as `absolute`, so a `min-height` or `height` value is required on the parent element. This could become a problem in certain situations where you don't have the luxury of setting a static height. + +Other than that, enjoy building some JavaScript-free tabs! |