CoverT 32: CSS Transition Dropdown

CSS

Mar 12, 2020

code

You don’t need JavaScript to create a dropdown effect, you can accomplish the same thing using CSS transition.

info Please excuse any wacky syntax highlighting, they don't always do the best with new features.

Example

<ul>
  <li>
    Parent
    <ul>
      <li>Child 1</li>
      <li>Child 2</li>
      <li>Child 3</li>
    </ul>
  </li>
</ul>

:root {
  --border-size: 3px;
}

ul {
  list-style: none;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  display: inline-block;
}

ul > li {
  display: inline-block;
  position: relative;
  width: 100px;
  text-align: center;
  padding: 5px;
  border: var(--border-size) solid;
  cursor: pointer;
}

li > ul {
  position: absolute;
  top: calc(100% + var(--border-size));
  left: calc(var(--border-size) * -1);
  transform: scale(1,0);
  transform-origin: top;
  transition: all ease-in 200ms 50ms;
}

li:hover > ul {
  transform: scale(1,1);
}

ul > li li {
  border-top: none;
}

Result

Parent
- Child 1
- Child 2
- Child 3