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CSS Dropdowns

Dropdown menus reveal additional options when users hover or click a parent element. Pure CSS dropdowns use :hover pseudo-class to show or hide submenus. Styling involves positioning, background colors, and transitions for a seamless interactive experience without JavaScript.

Key Topics

  • Hover-triggered Submenus
  • Positioning and Z-index
  • Transitions for Smooth Appearance

Example

Hide the submenu by default, then show it on hover:

.dropdown {
    position: relative;
    display: inline-block;
}
.dropdown-content {
    display: none;
    position: absolute;
    background: #f0f0f0;
    min-width: 100px;
}
.dropdown:hover .dropdown-content {
    display: block;
}

Explanation: When hovering over the .dropdown element, the nested .dropdown-content becomes visible, revealing additional links or options.

Key Takeaways

  • Interactive Menus: Dropdowns compactly present more options.
  • No JS Required: Simple hover effects create basic dropdowns.
  • Positioning: Absolute positioning and z-index ensure the dropdown appears above other content.
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