The adage ‘you can never have too much of a good thing’ holds true for our work, where valuable insights like ‘tips’ and ‘tricks’ are the bedrock of our progress. Clear, concise information aids in constructing solutions and mastering best practices. A previous article by us provided an extensive list of 250 web design tips.Continuing this tradition, we present 100 fresh and potentially valuable CSS tips and tricks.Not all tips can be neatly categorized. This section includes tips that are relevant and worth mentioning but don’t fit neatly into a specific category.
In the realm of CSS, being aware of the various properties at your disposal and using them correctly is crucial. A robust editor can significantly enhance productivity, with features like syntax highlighting, auto-complete, validation, and code references simplifying the process.Explore Notepad++, Coda, and don’t overlook Dreamweaver CS’s code view. Experimentation is key to innovation, so allocate time to experiment and learn through trial and error.For inspiration, check out CSS3 experiments such as creating inset typography, semantic CSS3 lightboxes, and various demos. Enable Gzip compression on the server side to reduce file sizes without losing content, and leverage caching for faster speeds.Optimize browser caching, and recognize the importance of whitespace for CSS readability. While it increases file size, it enhances readability significantly. Avoid inline code and use external stylesheets for easier maintenance and caching. Consistency in code layout is essential to avoid potential issues.Conditional comments can target specific versions of Internet Explorer for styling, and while filtering vendor-specific code isn’t ideal, comments are a safer alternative to hacks. Using a single stylesheet rather than multiple ones can reduce HTTP requests and improve maintainability, a practice endorsed by Google Page Speed guidelines.Place mission-critical declarations at the end of the stylesheet to avoid overrides. If you encounter a bug, disable CSS or comment out all styles to identify the issue. Ensure your code is compatible with various browsers, including the latest versions of the top five: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera.Test your code’s graceful degradation by turning styles off or using a text browser like Lynx. Browser emulators can’t replace real browsers, so use actual or virtualized editions. PHP code can create dynamic CSS files, and naming CSS files should be concise and descriptive.Recycling code for other projects is valuable, and while comments in CSS files can aid others, avoid unnecessary comments to save bandwidth. Use cheat sheets to remember CSS syntax and validate your code with the W3C CSS Validation Service.Vendor-specific CSS may not validate under current W3C specifications but can enhance design. Keep multiple CSS files in a single directory for maintainability. Targeting code for styling is a primary function of CSS, ensuring styles are not conflicting and using CSS inheritance correctly.Be cautious with the media attribute in HTML declarations for external CSS files, and group elements with similar properties to avoid repetition. Printer-friendly stylesheets are important for conserving ink and paper, and using media queries can improve usability for screen readers.Be mindful of the limited support for the CSS media query, and take the time to eliminate duplicate references and conflicts in your CSS. When working with mouse hover events, follow the order of pseudo-classes and pseudo-elements. For Apple iOS devices, use CSS3 media queries to scale your design effectively.Make the most of CSS inheritance by applying required styles to parent elements first. Apply multiple classes to an element for shared properties, and use the star hack selector for IE6’s quirks. CSS tooltips can be styled using pseudo-classes, and attribute selectors can add unique styles or icons.Reduce the workload of a renderer by using only necessary selectors and write ‘custom’ selectors as classes before making them IDs. List elements, classes, and ids in your CSS file by selectors, using camel case for naming conventions. The universal selector should be avoided when possible.CSS3 media queries allow targeting viewport orientation, and the ‘font-face’ rule can force screen zoom. CSS3 pseudo-elements like ‘:before’ and ‘:after’ have great potential for specific events. IDs can apply styles to single elements and act as anchoring fragment identifiers.CSS resets and frameworks can help with consistency, but understanding how to apply styles like positioning and spacing is crucial. Many designs focus on grids, but breaking out of the box can create added effect. Avoid CSS resets if you code well, and consider frameworks like Blueprint or YUI Grids CSS for development speed.Remember that Internet Explorer 6 doesn’t support fixed positioning, and use whitespace effectively in web designs to enhance user experience. Standardize measurements and test zoom compatibility. Rounded corners are easier with CSS3, and liquid layouts should be carefully managed with ‘max-width’ and ‘min-width’ properties.CSS3 animations and transitions can add unique flourishes in interactive content, and the ‘z-index’ property can layer elements. Viewport sizes aren’t just about resolution, and be cautious with the ‘box-sizing’ property for touch-screen devices.CSS expressions are deprecated, and while the ‘cursor’ property can be useful, avoid making it difficult to find on the screen. Horizontal scrolling should be used judiciously, and be aware of CSS3 compatibility issues with Internet Explorer 9.CSS makes it possible to provide information on demand, and showcasing menus should be consistent. CSS isn’t a solution to all layout woes but a tool for creating usable and logically designed user experiences. Gather feedback on your layout’s usability.This section covers typography, color, and imagery in CSS, focusing on readability and consistency. Consider ‘web-safe’ fonts and the latest trend of embedding fonts. Ensure text is legible, use tools to check color contrast, and remember that default styles can vary across browsers.Building a font stack is essential for graceful degradation, and serve the appropriate format to each browser. The ‘border-style’ property can enhance web accessibility, and be mindful of the limitations of web typography on mobile devices.Use RGBA transparency for cross-browser opacity, and style bullet points and input boxes carefully. Ensure navigation items are labeled appropriately for accessibility. If you’re targeting IE6, use relative units like ’em’ for text measurement.Providing alternative stylesheets for supported browsers can enhance readability, and use tools like Adobe Kuler or ColorSchemer Studio to choose colors. CSS has evolved significantly, with browser makers implementing CSS3 specifications and supporting web standards.Implementing CSS can be challenging, but it’s a rewarding language that allows designers to dictate content appearance. Consider the implications of each property and style, and experiment with new layouts as capabilities grow.
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