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Is there an HTML element that is ignored during rendering?

Answer 1

+8 A:

If your only problem with using a div is the line break when why not just give it the style: display: inline;?

If you can be more specific about your problem... Why do you have to wrap it?

Basically, div is what you want, just style it appropriately.

thenduks 2010-09-08 21:20:47

Perfect answer. To expand upon this just a little bit, you could also use other block level tags, just so long as you make sure to set a CSS rule of display: inline. So, if for example the header, footer, article, or section tags feel more semantically appropriate than div, feel free to use those.

Moses 2010-09-08 22:03:49

so adding `display:inline` doesn't actually make it an inline element? (meaning it can still have block children)? Are there other CSS attributes I should use? I want it to render as if it doesn't really exist in the DOM.

Paul Tarjan 2010-09-08 22:16:39

Well, Paul, I believe the rule is that inline elements can't have _block level children_ -- they can of course have _children_.

thenduks 2010-09-08 22:20:16

As for rendering as if it wasn't in the DOM at all... Well, the only way to do that is to _not have it in the DOM at all_!Again, can you be more specific about what you need and why? Perhaps there's another way to do what you need... Jumping to conclusions often leads to pain (here yours is "I need to wrap this in an element").

thenduks 2010-09-08 22:21:30

Lastly remember that you don't _have_ to make the div inline! If what you need is to avoid the line-break caused by the block level element, then perhaps float or an absolute position would work...? I promise this is the last time I'll say it: if you give more information, that would be helpful in giving you the best solution :)

thenduks 2010-09-08 22:24:06

I edited the question. We don't want javascript to be able to walk inside these elements.

Paul Tarjan 2010-09-08 22:29:31

So, I tried a `<div>` with `display:inline` and javascript had the same trouble. The scrollWidth was 0 and other weirdness, just like if I used a `<span>` :(

Paul Tarjan 2010-09-08 22:48:11

`display: inline` is exactly what makes an element inline, so, yea, that's not what you're looking for. But based on your updated answer this isn't the right approach at all if you ask me. I think you'd probably have better luck putting untrusted user content inside an iframe or something.

thenduks 2010-09-09 11:52:15

Answer 2

A:

You said you have a span which contains a div. Block elements should not be contained within inline elements. You could, however, use the span element within a div.

mjw06d 2010-09-08 21:22:56

Answer 3

A:

<span> is the closest thing to such element, and the weird behavior you mentioned is normal, <span> is an inline element, while <div> is a block element. You can't put block elements inside inline ones. (display type (inline/block) is the only difference between a span and a div I guess)

aularon 2010-09-08 21:23:03

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Is there an HTML element that is ignored during rendering?

`<div>`

`<span>`

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