CSS / CSS Variables and Custom Properties
Building Dynamic Themes with CSS
This tutorial will guide you through the process of building dynamic themes using CSS Variables. You'll learn how to use custom properties to create flexible, switchable themes.
Section overview
5 resourcesExplores the use of CSS variables and custom properties for reusable styles.
1. Introduction
In this tutorial, we will explore the process of building dynamic themes for your websites using CSS Variables.
By the end of this tutorial, you will learn:
- How to define and use CSS Variables (custom properties)
- How to create flexible, switchable themes using CSS Variables
The prerequisites for this tutorial are:
- Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS
- A text editor (like Sublime Text, Visual Studio Code, Atom, etc.)
- A modern browser for testing (like Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
2. Step-by-Step Guide
CSS Variables, also known as CSS Custom Properties, allow you to define reusable values. You can use them to create dynamic theming for your webpages.
2.1 Defining CSS Variables
You can define a CSS Variable as follows:
:root {
--main-color: #06c;
}
The :root is a pseudo-class that selects the root element of a document. In HTML, the root element is the <html> tag.
2.2 Using CSS Variables
To use a CSS Variable, you reference it with var(--variable-name):
body {
background-color: var(--main-color);
}
3. Code Examples
3.1 Basic Dynamic Theme
Here's a basic example of a dynamic theme:
<html>
<head>
<style>
:root {
--main-bg-color: #f9f9f9;
--main-txt-color: #333;
}
body {
background-color: var(--main-bg-color);
color: var(--main-txt-color);
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This is a paragraph.</p>
</body>
</html>
We define two variables: --main-bg-color for the background color and --main-txt-color for the text color. We then use these variables in the body style.
3.2 Switching Themes
Now, let's create a switchable theme. We'll use JavaScript to switch between a light theme and a dark theme:
<html>
<head>
<style>
:root {
--main-bg-color: #f9f9f9;
--main-txt-color: #333;
}
body {
background-color: var(--main-bg-color);
color: var(--main-txt-color);
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<button id="theme-button">Switch Theme</button>
<p>This is a paragraph.</p>
<script>
document.getElementById('theme-button').onclick = function() {
let root = document.documentElement;
if (root.style.getPropertyValue('--main-bg-color') === '#f9f9f9') {
root.style.setProperty('--main-bg-color', '#333');
root.style.setProperty('--main-txt-color', '#f9f9f9');
} else {
root.style.setProperty('--main-bg-color', '#f9f9f9');
root.style.setProperty('--main-txt-color', '#333');
}
}
</script>
</body>
</html>
When the "Switch Theme" button is clicked, the JavaScript code checks the current background color and switches the theme.
4. Summary
In this tutorial, we've learned how to define and use CSS Variables to create dynamic, switchable themes for our webpages.
For further learning, you can explore how to create more complex themes and how to store user theme preferences in local storage.
5. Practice Exercises
5.1 Exercise 1: Basic Theme
Create a basic theme with three variables: --main-bg-color, --main-txt-color, and --secondary-color.
5.2 Exercise 2: Theme Switcher
Extend the basic theme by adding a theme switcher. Create a light theme and a dark theme and add a button that switches between them.
5.3 Exercise 3: More Complex Theme
Create a more complex theme with at least five variables. Add a theme switcher that switches between three different themes.
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