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LAST UPDATED: JULY 4, 2023

Create a Horizontal Scroll Menu using CSS

Technology #css

    With more and more Internet users now using Mobile phones to access websites, the need for a Mobile-friendly user interface is the most right now.

    We have struggled to make our user interface mobile-friendly whenever we introduce any new custom component to our website, like the sub-navigation bar showing the new tutorials(see above).

    It looks like this on a desktop or a widescreen device:

    horizontal scroll menu CSS

    But on a mobile device, it used to stack within the given width, which was very poor for a mobile-friendly user interface.

    horizontal scroll menu CSS

    So we decided to make this menu horizontally scrollable, that way, whenever a user opens up our website on a mobile device, he/she will see a horizontally scrollable menu which is a very common experience for mobile phones. The end result was this:

    horizontal scrollable menu CSS HTML

    How to Create a Horizontal Scroll Menu using CSS

    We can make this happen using CSS and that too very little CSS. This is the CSS code, you must apply to the HTML element holding the elements which you want to be horizontally scrollable:

    HTML Code:

    <div class="hscroll">
      <a href="/javascript">Javascript</a>
      <a href="/spring-boot">Spring Boot</a>
      <a href="/tkinter">Tkinter</a>
      ...
    </div>

    CSS Code:

    .hscroll{
        overflow-x: scroll;
        overflow-y: hidden;
        white-space: nowrap;
    }
    

    Your HTML code can be anything, all you have to do is use the above CSS property and make your element horizontally scrollable.

    Conclusion

    This technique is very useful when you have a navigation bar like in our case, or any post suggestion cards at the end of a blog post, that can also be made horizontally scrollable for mobile.

    If you know any better way of doing this, then do share with us by posting in the comment section.

    Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

    1. How can I create a horizontal scroll menu using CSS?

    To create a horizontal scroll menu, you can use CSS properties like display: flex, overflow-x: auto, and white-space: nowrap. By setting up a container with these properties, you can achieve a horizontal layout that scrolls horizontally when the content exceeds the container's width.

    2. Can I customize the styling of my horizontal scroll menu?

    Absolutely! CSS provides a wide range of styling options to customize your horizontal scroll menu. You can apply different background colors, font styles, hover effects, and animations to create a visually appealing and engaging menu.

    3. How can I make my horizontal scroll menu responsive?

    To make your horizontal scroll menu responsive, you can utilize media queries to adjust the layout and styling based on different screen sizes. By defining appropriate breakpoints and applying CSS rules accordingly, you can ensure that your menu adapts and functions optimally on various devices.

    4. Are there any limitations to consider when using a horizontal scroll menu?

    While horizontal scroll menus can be visually engaging, it's important to consider usability and accessibility. Ensure that the scroll behavior is intuitive and easy to navigate, and consider providing alternative navigation methods for users who may not interact well with horizontal scrolling.

    5. Can I incorporate JavaScript functionality into my horizontal scroll menu?

    Yes, you can enhance your horizontal scroll menu with JavaScript to add interactive features and behavior. For example, you can implement smooth scrolling, menu item highlighting, or dynamic content loading through JavaScript to create a more engaging and functional menu experience.

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    I like writing content about C/C++, DBMS, Java, Docker, general How-tos, Linux, PHP, Java, Go lang, Cloud, and Web development. I have 10 years of diverse experience in software development. Founder @ Studytonight
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