Is Using `!important` in CSS Ever Justified?

!important in CSS: A Question of Propriety

In the realm of CSS, the use of !important has become a source of controversy. Many developers question the wisdom of employing this directive, considering it a blunt instrument that can hinder future maintenance. However, the answer to the question "Is it bad to use !important in a CSS property?" is nuanced and depends on the specific context.

Deciphering the Problem

In the given scenario, the author encountered an issue where inline styles injected by JavaScript were overriding the cascade in their CSS. This resulted in unexpected behavior and display problems. By adding !important to the height property, they were able to override the inline styles and regain control over the layout.

The Drawback of !important

While !important can provide a quick fix in such situations, it also comes with drawbacks. By overriding the cascade, !important makes it more challenging to understand the flow of styles in a CSS sheet. This can lead to maintenance headaches down the line, especially if the codebase is managed by multiple developers.

When to Use !important

Despite these drawbacks, !important has its place in certain scenarios. It's a tool of last resort when all other options have been exhausted. For instance, if you're dealing with legacy code or style conflicts that cannot be resolved otherwise, !important can provide a workaround.

Best Practices

If you do decide to use !important, it's essential to exercise caution. Use it sparingly and only when absolutely necessary. Consider the long-term maintenance implications and document your use of !important clearly. Additionally, try to identify the root cause of style conflicts and address them at the source, rather than relying on !important as a bandaid solution.

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