Position Absolute + Scrolling

css

responsive-design

positioning

css-only-solutions

byAlex Kataev·Sep 24, 2024

Lock your element in place during scrolling. To do so, you need to use position: absolute; within a parent container that is defined as position: relative;. This configuration allows the absolutely positioned child to stick to its position as the parent scrolls.

CSS:

.container {
  position: relative; /* Making scroll pretty again */
  overflow: auto; /* Let it flow */
}
.child {
  position: absolute; /* I am Groot (aka I stay put) */
  bottom: 0; /* How low can you go? */
  right: 0; /* Rights Reserved for the right side */
}

HTML:

<div class="container">
  <!-- Here be dragons (and also the container allowing scrolling) -->
  <div class="full-height">
    <!-- full-height class makes sure the bottom is really the bottom -->
    Text scrolls here...
    <div class="child">🎵Stuck at the bottom with you...🎵</div>
  </div>
</div>

On scrolling, the .child element remains blissfully ignorant at the bottom of the inner .full-height div.

Playing nice with position: relative

Sometimes, you might want an absolute item to stay put at a specific spot during scrolling. By wrapping your content in a parent div that has position: relative;, it sets up boundaries that the absolutely positioned child will honor.

Dealing with height

Chasing the bottom? The .full-height class with height: 100%; fills up the parent, allowing elements to refer to its bottom as the actual bottom. This is key when you want an element to stick to the bottom.

Z-index: The stacking order game

Watching your element disappear under others? Use z-index to preserve the visibility of your absolute element amidst the hustle and bustle of other container content.

The other guy: position: fixed

Want the element to stick to a spot irrespective of the scrolling? position: fixed; is your guy. Remember — this will make the element sticky in relation to the viewport, not any parent container.

Fine-tuning and Overflow Management

Precision Positioning: Need to precisely position your absolute element in the container? The top, right, bottom, and left properties are your best pals. Modify these values to make your element stick to the exact spot you want in the container.

Content-Length Considerations: Count on different content lengths to test how changes affect the absolute element's behavior. This aids in troubleshooting surprises when dynamic content comes up.

Overflow Strategies: For a tall inner div, overflow: hidden; might seem like a quick-fix. However, setting overflow: auto; or overflow: scroll; can give your users better control over the scrollable content without messing with the static position of absolute elements.

Embrace CSS-only solutions: Whenever possible, go for a CSS-only solution to retain the element position on scroll. This keeps your design simple and free from unnecessary JavaScript complications.

Nested Scrolling: If your layout requires nested scrolling, overflow: scroll; on a child container within a parent can work wonders, ensuring that your absolute position remains unaltered.

explain-codes / Css / Position Absolute + Scrolling

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