Pseudo-Classes/Elements
CSS :active
Styling Active States
CSS :active styles elements during activation, like button clicks.
What is the :active Pseudo-Class?
The :active pseudo-class is used in CSS to represent an element (such as a button or link) that is currently being activated by the user. This usually means the element is in the process of being clicked and held by the mouse. When the user releases the mouse button, the element is no longer considered :active.
How to Use :active
To apply styles when an element is active, you can use the :active pseudo-class in your CSS. It is often used to change the appearance of buttons when they are being clicked. This can improve the user experience by providing immediate visual feedback.
Example: Button Styling with :active
Consider the following example where a button changes color and slightly shrinks when clicked:
Usage Tips and Best Practices
- Use it sparingly: Keep
:activestyles simple to provide clear feedback without distracting the user. - Combine with other pseudo-classes: Often used alongside
:hoverand:focusfor a complete interactive experience. - Ensure accessibility: Make sure that the visual feedback provided by
:activeis easily perceivable by users with visual impairments.
Pseudo-Classes/Elements
- :hover
- :focus
- :active
- :nth-child
- :not
- :first-child
- ::before
- ::after
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- :focus
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- :nth-child
