How to Use the :target Pseudo-class in CSS for Smooth Navigation

Описание: Learn how to effectively use the `:target` pseudo-class in CSS to create smooth navigation links that account for sticky headers and avoid gaps on your page.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/65910999/ asked by the user 'Schuyler Lewis' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/13979559/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/67273494/ provided by the user 'Schuyler Lewis' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/13979559/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Navigating With Ease: Mastering the :target Pseudo-class in CSS

When building a single-page website, having smooth navigation can greatly enhance user experience. However, if you have a sticky navigation bar at the top of your site, you may encounter an issue where your navigation links don't land exactly where you want them to be. This is especially problematic if you want your target content to be visible right below the sticky navigation. So, how can you solve this issue and eliminate any unwanted gaps? In this guide, we’ll dive into how to effectively apply the :target pseudo-class along with some creative CSS techniques.

Understanding the Problem

You may have already noticed the issue with sticky headers: when users click on a navigation link that scrolls to an anchor point, the position of the linked element can be obscured behind the navigation bar. As a result, there could even be an annoying empty gap created if you apply a margin to the target element.

For example, you might use the following CSS to adjust the margin:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

While this might seem like a straightforward solution, it leaves a gap once the user scrolls back up. Naturally, this is not the outcome you want for a polished user interface. So, what can be done to eliminate this problem effectively?

The Solution: Combining :target and :before

After contemplating various approaches and experimenting with the CSS, there is a simple yet powerful solution: using the :target pseudo-class together with the :before pseudo-class. This technique allows you to create a smooth and seamless navigation experience while maintaining visual appeal.

Steps to Implement the Solution

Target the Element with :target: Use the :target pseudo-class to define styles applicable when the element is the target of a navigation link.

Create a Space with :before: Leverage the :before pseudo-class to add an invisible block that pushes the content down without causing empty gaps.

Here’s how the complete code looks:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation of the Code

:target:before: This selector targets an element that is currently being referred to by a navigation link. The :before adds content (in this case, an empty string) before that targeted element.

content: '': By specifying an empty string, we are creating a visual presence without adding any visible content.

display: block: This ensures that the invisible space behaves like a block element, which makes it easier to control spacing.

height: 300px: This is the crucial part where you define how much space you want the block to occupy above your target element.

margin-top: -300px: The negative margin pulls the actual content of the target element upwards so that it aligns perfectly below the sticky header.

Conclusion

By combining the :target and :before pseudo-classes, you can successfully manage and smooth out navigation on your web pages without leaving those troublesome empty gaps. This method provides the user with a satisfying experience, enhancing usability and aesthetic quality.

Next time you're implementing smooth scrolling to certain sections of your webpage, give this technique a try! Not only will it solve the visibility issues, but it will also demonstrate your CSS mastery to anyone navigating your site.

Happy coding!