How to Fix CSS Text Overflow Ellipsis Issue

When working with CSS, you may encounter an issue where the text-overflow: ellipsis property does not work as expected. This property is typically used to truncate text and display an ellipsis (…) when it overflows its container. In this answer, we will explore possible solutions to fix the CSS text overflow ellipsis issue.

1. Check Container Width

One common reason for the text-overflow: ellipsis property not working is that the container width is not properly set. Make sure that the container has a fixed width or is set to display: block with a specified width. Without a fixed width, the container will expand to fit its content, and the text will not overflow to trigger the ellipsis.

Example:

.container {
  display: block;
  width: 200px;
  white-space: nowrap;
  overflow: hidden;
  text-overflow: ellipsis;
}

Related Article: How to Hide Scroll Bar in CSS While Maintaining Scroll Functionality

2. Specify white-space Property

The white-space property controls how white space within an element is handled. By default, it is set to normal, which means that consecutive white spaces are collapsed into a single space. To ensure that the text overflows and the ellipsis is displayed, set the white-space property to nowrap.

Example:

.container {
  white-space: nowrap;
  overflow: hidden;
  text-overflow: ellipsis;
}

3. Use the correct Display Property

Another reason for the text-overflow: ellipsis property not working is using an incorrect display property for the container. This issue commonly occurs when using inline elements like <span> instead of block-level elements like <div>. The text-overflow property works best with block-level elements or inline-block elements.

Example:

.container {
  display: inline-block;
  width: 200px;
  white-space: nowrap;
  overflow: hidden;
  text-overflow: ellipsis;
}

4. Ensure Sufficient Line Height

In some cases, the text-overflow: ellipsis property may not work if the line height of the container is too small. When the line height is insufficient, the text may not overflow even if the container’s width is limited. Increase the line height to allow the text to overflow and trigger the ellipsis.

Example:

.container {
  line-height: 1.5;
  overflow: hidden;
  text-overflow: ellipsis;
}

Related Article: How to Disable Scrolling On Body Using CSS

5. Use Flexbox or Grid

Using flexbox or CSS grid layouts can also help resolve the CSS text overflow ellipsis issue. By using these modern layout techniques, you can easily handle the overflow of text within a container and apply the text-overflow: ellipsis property effectively.

Example using Flexbox:

.container {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: nowrap;
  overflow: hidden;
  text-overflow: ellipsis;
}

Example using CSS Grid:

.container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  overflow: hidden;
  text-overflow: ellipsis;
}

Alternative Ideas and Best Practices

– If the text-overflow: ellipsis property still does not work after trying the above solutions, consider checking if there are other conflicting CSS properties or styles applied to the container or its parent elements. Conflicting styles may interfere with the rendering of the ellipsis.

– Avoid using the text-overflow: ellipsis property on elements with dynamic content, such as text that changes frequently or is generated dynamically. In such cases, JavaScript-based solutions may be more appropriate.

– It’s important to test your CSS text overflow ellipsis implementation across different browsers and devices to ensure consistent behavior. Use browser testing tools or services to validate your CSS across various environments.