Right alignment of text in or
To right-align text in a <select> dropdown, we use a combination of CSS properties: text-align-last: right;, text-align: right;, and most importantly direction: rtl;. Here's how you apply them:
Flexible and practical, this cross-browser friendly solution gets the job done in virtually all cases.
How to enhance right-aligned <select>
Design often calls for a nuanced approach. Adding text-indent on the first child of the <select> can result in a well-structured UI:
Even the tiniest details affect the overall design. Applying padding-right to the first child creates a less crowded and more aesthetic space:
Tweak these values for a customized and more practical presentation. Always remember to verify your solutions on various browsers for consistently stunning results.
Quick fix for WebKit browsers
Applying the dir attribute to right-align option text comes in handy especially in WebKit browsers. Get your hands right into the code:
Setting direction: rtl; for the select and reversing it with dir="ltr" for each option gives you that perfect right-aligned look.
Cleaning up for WebKit browsers
All about WebKit browsers? Keep it simple with pure CSS methods. Although text-align: right; on <option> tags may not be effective in some cases, a combo of text-align-last: right; and direction: rtl; ensures compatibility and control.
Code-snippets and their purposes
Adapting to a multi-language context
In a multi-language scenario, tailoring the text alignment according to the language direction helps. We might use text-align: left; for languages like English, and text-align: right; for Arabic or Hebrew.
Select arrow alignment
Simply aligning the text might not be enough. Creating a symmetrical appearance might require aligning the select arrow as well. Reason? Style matters.
Responsive design
When you integrate these styles within media queries, you ensure a responsive layout. Make sure your text alignment looks good across all devices, not just your developer machine!
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