Stu Nicholls | CSSplay

Information

A simple definition list menu styled using a 'no content' span to give the appearance of an indication light above each menu item.

The text and spans are in ems so the menu will stay in shape when resized.

Hacks added so that it works in IE5.01 and IE5.5

This menu replaced one of my early attempts that wasn't to my liking. I think that this is an improvement.

Cascading Style Sheet

dl#artist dt {
  display:none;
  }
dl#artist dd {
  padding:0; 
  margin:0;
  }
a.xmenu, a.xmenu:visited {
  display:block; 
  width:5em; 
  height:3em; 
  background:#000; 
  text-decoration:none; 
  text-align:center; 
  color:#aaa; 
  float:left;
  }
a.xmenu span, a.xmenu:visited span {
  display:block; 
  width:3em; 
  height:0.5em; 
  border-top:0.5em solid #000; 
  border-left:1em solid #000;  
  border-right:1em solid #000; 
  border-bottom:0.5em solid #000; 
  background:#050; 
  overflow:hidden;
  }
* html a.xmenu span, * html a.xmenu:visited span {
  width:5em; 
  height:1.5em; 
  w\idth:3em; 
  he\ight:0.5em; 
  overflow:hidden;
  }
a.xmenu:hover {
  color:#ff0;
  }
a.xmenu:hover span {
  background:#0f0;
  }

xhtml

<dl id="artist">
<dt>Artists menu</dt>
  <dd>
    <a class="xmenu" href="#nogo">
      <span></span>
      Matisse
    </a>
  </dd>
  <dd>
    <a class="xmenu" href="#nogo">
      <span></span>
      Cezanne</a>
  </dd>
  <dd>
    <a class="xmenu" href="#nogo">
      <span></span>
      Turner
    </a>
  </dd>
  <dd>
    <a class="xmenu" href="#nogo">
      <span></span>
      Monet
    </a>
  </dd>
  <dd>
    <a class="xmenu" href="#nogo">
      <span></span>
      Lowry
    </a>
  </dd>
</dl>

Copyright

You may use this method on your personal 'non-profit' web site without seeking my permission. A link back to CSSplay is always appreciated.

Commercial usage is also permitted without seeking approval, but I would ask that a donation is considered to support my work on CSSPlay.

If you are having problems integrating any of my demonstrations into your website then I now offer a service to fault find and correct any errors that you may have introduced. Please email me for more information.