Insert ellipsis (...) into HTML tag if content too wide

html

responsive-design

css

performance

byNikita Barsukov·Oct 29, 2024

To add an ellipsis (...) to text overflowing its container, apply the following CSS properties: overflow: hidden, white-space: nowrap, and text-overflow: ellipsis. Adjust the container's width to ensure a fit with your layout.

.ellipsis {
  overflow: hidden;
  white-space: nowrap;
  text-overflow: ellipsis; /* Makes the magic happen  */
}

Subsequently, surround your text with an HTML element embracing this class:

<div class="ellipsis">Extensive text goes here</div>

This procedure truncates the text and appends an ellipsis when the text's width supersedes its parent's.

Dynamic text and cross-browser compatibility

For content endowed with varying lengths, like dynamic blog post headlines, the key lies in the effective use of automation. A jQuery plugin, such as dotdotdot, is adept at truncating text while adding an ellipsis, vindicating you of manual calculations.

For multi-line truncation, merge display: -webkit-box, -webkit-line-clamp, and -webkit-box-orient properties. This combination is functional in webkit-based browsers.

.multi-line-ellipsis {
  display: -webkit-box;
  -webkit-line-clamp: 3; /* This number dictates how many lines you like to see */
  -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
  overflow: hidden;
  text-overflow: ellipsis; /* Wizardry in progress */
}

For seamless cross-browser compatibility, cross-check the compatibility and potential fallbacks on handy sites like Can I use.

Additional tricks and potential issues to keep in mind

Binary search for efficient detection

In the case of dynamically resizable containers, a binary search algorithm comes in handy to detect where the text length fits smoothly. This method is efficient and gets the truncation done flexibly for responsive designs.

Hover tooltips for full visibility

For an added user-friendly touch, hover effects with the title attributes can be used to reveal the full text on mouseover without screen clutter.

CSS classes for enhanced targeting

Aesthetic consistency and streamlined changes can be established by creating dedicated CSS classes for ellipsis specifications:

.dynamic-headline {
  position: relative;
  font-size: 1.5rem;
  /* Additional styling tweaked to (ellipsis) perfection */
}

Keep performance in mind

Strive for high-performance solutions. Apply CSS over JavaScript when possible and ensure that scripts executed are optimized for quick actions, particularly when dealing with numerous elements.

Update! Advanced methods and best practices

Absolute positioning for accurate measurements

Absolute positioning with hidden elements enables the accurate calculation of text width without disrupting the document flow.

Single event updates for dynamic content

Create a singular event that rearranges truncated elements when a container's measurement modifies due to browser resizing or dynamic content inputs.

Stylish display with the correct ellipsis character

Use … (which gives …) instead of three literal periods (...) for a more professional and clean display.

Robustness through rigorous testing

Validate your solutions across different browsers to ensure consistent performances, while being vigilant for variations in rendering and interactions.

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