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Dropdown Menu with Pure HTML
A tutorial without javascript
As I was diving into building a new CSS component library, AltCSS, I was challenged to create a dropdown menu with zero JavaScript or custom CSS. The goal was simple: design a lightweight solution using only the power of HTML. It’s a minimalistic approach, and I want to share how I solved this, leveraging the core features of HTML.
This article explores two ways to create a dropdown menu:
- Using hover effects.
- Using a click mechanism.
Let’s get started!
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Hover-Triggered Dropdown
When you hover over a button, a dropdown appears. It’s a smooth interaction that doesn’t require any clicking. I use TailwindCSS for minimal CSS overhead to manage the hover effect.
<!-- Hover Dropdown -->
<div class="relative group">
<button>
Hover Dropdown
</button>
<div class="absolute hidden group-hover:block">
<a href="#" class="block">Option 1</a>
<a href="#" class="block">Option 2</a>
<a href="#" class="block">Option 3</a>
<a href="#" class="block">Option 4</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="relative group">
: The…