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CSS Pseudo-elements

What are Pseudo-Elements?

A CSS pseudo-element is used to style specific parts of an element.

For example, it can be used to:

  • Style the first letter or line of an element
  • Insert content before or after an element
  • Style the markers of list items
  • Style the viewbox behind a dialog box

Syntax

The syntax of pseudo-elements:

            selector::pseudo-element {
              property: value;
            }

The ::first-line Pseudo-element

The ::first-line pseudo-element is used to add a special style to the first line of a text.

The following example formats the first line of the text in all <p> elements:

Output :

The ::first-letter Pseudo-element

The ::first-letter pseudo-element is used to add a special style to the first letter of a text.

The following example formats the first letter of the text in all <p> elements:

Output :

Pseudo-elements and HTML Classes

Pseudo-elements can be combined with HTML classes:

Output 3:

Multiple Pseudo-elements

Several pseudo-elements can also be combined.

In the following example, the first letter of a paragraph will be red, in an xx-large font size. The rest of the first line will be blue, and in small-caps. The rest of the paragraph will be the default font size and color.

Output :

CSS - The ::after Pseudo-element

The ::after pseudo-element can be used to insert some content after the content of an element.

The following example inserts an image after the content of each <h1> element:

Output:-:

CSS - The ::before Pseudo-element

The ::before pseudo-element can be used to insert some content before the content of an element.

The following example inserts an image before the content of each <h1> element:

Output:-:

CSS - The ::marker Pseudo-element

The ::marker pseudo-element selects the markers of list items.

The following example styles the markers of list items:

Output:-:

CSS - The ::selection Pseudo-element

The ::selection pseudo-element matches the portion of an element that is selected by a user.

The following CSS properties can be applied to ::selection: color, background, cursor, and outline.

The following example makes the selected text red on a yellow background:

Output:-:
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