CSS Grid Template Areas - askthedev.com

Introduction

In modern web development, CSS Grid has emerged as a powerful layout system that allows for the creation of complex web page designs with relative ease. It provides developers with immense flexibility to align elements in two dimensions – both rows and columns. One of the standout features of CSS Grid is the grid-template-areas property, which offers a way to define visual layout structures for grid items using named areas. This article will delve into the ins and outs of grid template areas, helping complete beginners grasp this essential component of CSS Grid.

Definition of the grid-template-areas property

The grid-template-areas property is a CSS rule used within the CSS Grid layout. It defines specific areas of the grid by assigning names to them. These named areas can then be referenced when placing grid items, leading to a more semantic and readable way to lay out a grid. This property is particularly useful for larger layouts, as it allows developers to visualize how elements will be arranged on the page.

Syntax

The general syntax for the grid-template-areas property is as follows:

grid-template-areas: 
        "area1 area2 area3"
        "area4 area5 area5";

Each line of the string represents a row in the grid, while the strings within the quotes represent individual areas defined by their names. Areas can span multiple columns if needed.

Values

The values for the grid-template-areas property are simple strings that represent a layout. You can assign any name to an area, as long as it’s consistent throughout your CSS. Here are key points about using values:

Names: Can be anything, but they should ideally convey the purpose of the area.
Empty spaces: Represent empty grid cells and use a dot (.) to maintain the grid structure.
Spanning: An area can span multiple rows and columns by repeating the name.

Example

Practical Example of grid-template-areas in Use

Let’s take a look at a practical example. We will create a simple webpage layout with a header, navigation, main content area, and a footer using grid template areas.


    .container {
        display: grid;
        grid-template-areas: 
            "header header header"
            "nav main main"
            "footer footer footer";
        grid-template-rows: 100px 1fr 50px;
        grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;
        gap: 10px;
    }
    
    .header {
        grid-area: header;
        background: lightblue;
    }
    
    .nav {
        grid-area: nav;
        background: lightgreen;
    }
    
    .main {
        grid-area: main;
        background: lightcoral;
    }
    
    .footer {
        grid-area: footer;
        background: lightgoldenrodyellow;
    }

Explanation of the Example Layout

In this example, we have defined a grid layout that consists of three rows and two columns. The assigned areas are:

Area Name	Grid Row Span	Grid Column Span
header	1	3
nav	1
main	1
footer	1

This layout defines a header that spans three columns, a navigation area occupying the first column of the second row, a main content area covering the remaining two columns of the second row, and a footer that spans all three columns of the bottom row.

Browser Support

The grid-template-areas property has solid support across modern web browsers, including:

Browser	Version	Support
Chrome	57+	✓
Firefox	52+	✓
Safari	10.1+	✓
Edge	16+	✓
Internet Explorer	Not Supported	✗

Always check for the latest updates on browser compatibility to ensure your layouts render as expected for all users.

Summary

In this article, we explored the grid-template-areas property, which allows for named areas within a CSS Grid layout. We covered its syntax, values, practical applications, and provided a clear example of how to use it effectively. As CSS Grid continues to be embraced in web design, understanding how to utilize grid template areas will significantly enhance your layout capabilities. By implementing this feature, you can create responsive and dynamic web pages with ease.

FAQ

What is CSS Grid?

CSS Grid is a layout system that allows developers to create complex grid-based layouts in a straightforward manner by defining rows and columns.

How does grid-template-areas improve layout design?

By using named areas, it makes the CSS code easier to read and manage. It visually represents layout structure, which can simplify the process of arranging elements.

Can grid-template-areas be used with other CSS properties?

Yes, grid-template-areas can be combined with other properties, like grid-gap, grid-template-columns, and grid-template-rows, to create versatile layouts.

Is there a difference between grid-template-areas and grid-template-columns?

Yes, grid-template-areas specifies named areas for layout purposes, while grid-template-columns defines the size of the columns in the grid.

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