Visibility Hidden and Display None in CSS

Visibility: hidden and Display: none:

Concealed within CSS are values that enable the hiding of elements on a webpage. These values vary notably in several key aspects. Now, let's delve deeper into the disparities between display: none and visibility: hidden within CSS.

An element with visibility: hidden set on it becomes visually hidden while maintaining its presence in the document flow. This means that the hidden element retains its space on the page and affects the layout as if it were visible. Despite being unseen, the element remains interactive with other elements on the page. This allows for actions like clicking on it using JavaScript, triggering events, or modifying its properties.

However, a more radical approach is taken with the utilization of display: none. When an element is assigned display: none, it is completely removed from the document flow and visually concealed. Consequently, the concealed element is completely absent from the page and has no impact on the layout of other elements. It essentially becomes non-existent within the rendered document. Consequently, any interactions with it, such as clicking or selecting, become impossible. This functionality is commonly used when there is a need to eliminate an element from the visible portion of the webpage, either temporarily or permanently.

Visibility: Hidden:

• ✅ An element that has visibility: hidden applied to it remains in the layout even though it is hidden from view. Stated differently, the element remains a part of the document flow and influences the layout just like it would if it were visible.
• ✅ Despite not being visible, the hidden element nevertheless communicates with other elements on the page. For instance, you can use JavaScript to interact with it, and it can modify how other parts are laid out.
Example
Copy
.hidden-element
{
     visibility: hidden;
}
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Advantages:

• ✅ Layout Spacing: The hidden element maintains space in the layout, which can be valuable in specific design scenarios that require maintaining the structure of the layout.
• ✅ Interactivity: Despite being invisible, the element remains interactive. This feature proves beneficial when you want to hide an element temporarily while allowing scripted user engagement.

Disadvantages:

• ✅ Impacts Layout: The presence of the element within the layout can disrupt the positioning of neighboring elements, leading to potential layout issues.
• ✅ Restricted Visual Management: This method restricts the visual control of the element without completely removing it from the document flow, which may not be ideal in scenarios requiring the element to be entirely hidden.

Display: none:

• ✅ An element that has display: none applied to it is both visually hidden and eliminated from the document flow. This indicates that neither the element's presentation nor its physical space on the page.
• ✅ Components with displays: none of them are interactive and have no effect on how other components are arranged. In a sense, they've "gone" from the page.
Example
Copy
.hidden-element {
  display: none;
}
Try it Yourself

Advantages:

• ✅ Total Elimination: The element is completely removed from the document flow to avoid impacting the layout or interacting with other elements. This method is beneficial when you want to cleanly get rid of an element.
• ✅ Efficiency: By using display: none to hide an element instead of visibility: hidden, you can improve performance as the browser doesn't have to render the hidden element.

Disadvantages:

• ✅ Absence of Layout Control: While beneficial in specific scenarios, the element's limited ability to control layout may be a drawback when maintaining a structured layout is crucial.
• ✅ Lack of Interactivity: This results in the element losing its interactive functionality, preventing users from engaging with it through clicking or selecting. If user interaction with the hidden content is necessary, alternative solutions may be more suitable.

Conclusion

In summary, the choice between display: none and visibility: hidden depends on the specific requirements of your design and functionality. Opt for visibility: hidden when you require an invisible element that remains interactive and affects the layout. On the other hand, utilize display: none when you aim to completely remove an element from the page, eliminating any associated effects on interaction and layout. To arrive at a well-considered decision, carefully evaluate the advantages and disadvantages in the context of your project.