HTML & CSS Course
HTML & CSS
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Advanced

Grid Areas

Definition

The `grid-template-areas` property specifies areas within the grid layout. You literally 'draw' the layout using named strings.

Explain Like I'm New

The most visual and magical feature in CSS. You give your elements names (like 'head', 'nav', 'main'). Then, in the parent container, you write a visual ASCII-art map of where those names should go. If you want the header to span 3 columns, you just write `'head head head'`.

Real World Example

Instantly rearranging a complex desktop layout into a stacked mobile layout by simply redefining the ASCII map inside a Media Query, without touching the HTML order.

Common Use Cases

  • •App shells
  • •Rapid layout prototyping
  • •Responsive reorganizing

Interactive Example

Interview Questions

basic

  • How do you assign a name to a grid item so you can use it in the map?

intermediate

  • How do you leave an empty cell in the grid area map?

Flash Cards

Question

Assign a name?

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Answer

Use the `grid-area` property on the child element. Example: `.header { grid-area: head; }`.

Question

Empty cell?

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Answer

Use a period (`.`). Example: `'head . nav'` means the middle column is completely empty.