What Does `initial` Really Mean in CSS?-CSS Tutorial-php.cn

What Does `initial` Really Mean in CSS?

Mary-Kate Olsen

Release： 2024-11-24 03:54:14

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What Does `initial` Really Mean in CSS?

Unveiling the Significance of 'initial' in CSS

Contrary to initial assumptions, the 'initial' value in CSS does not reinstate styles as rendered by a browser's internal stylesheet. It represents the property's designated initial value, as defined by CSS specifications.

Understanding the 'initial' Value

The 'initial' value is not synonymous with the browser's default. Its meaning varies based on the specific property. For instance, for the 'display' property, 'initial' invariably signifies 'inline,' the designated initial value.

Example Exploration

Consider the following snippet:

div.inline {
  display: inline;
}

div.initial {
  display: initial;
}

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As per expectations, the 'inline' rule displays

inline. However, the 'initial' rule also displays

inline, not in its initial 'block' value. This behavior stems from the fact that 'initial' for 'display' always means 'inline.'

Limited Usefulness

The 'initial' value has limited utility. It can be valuable for the 'color' property, where its meaning is browser-dependent. Similarly, using 'font-family: initial' retrieves the browser's default font.

Browser Compatibility and Conclusion

Note that 'initial' is not supported in Internet Explorer, further limiting its practicality. In conclusion, the 'initial' value is a CSS concept that is often misunderstood. It refers to the property's designated initial value and does not imply browser default or the element's initial rendering style.

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