Sass @else if

Posted in Sass Tutorial

Updated on Sep 29, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 13 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 1 Comment

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

The @else if directive in Sass allows you to create more complex conditional logic within your stylesheets. It extends the capabilities of @if by enabling you to test multiple conditions in sequence.

This is particularly useful for scenarios where you need to handle various conditions in a structured and readable manner.

💡 Syntax

The syntax for @else if is used in conjunction with the @if directive to create a chain of conditions. Here’s the basic structure:

Syntax

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@if condition1 {
  // styles for condition1
} @else if condition2 {
  // styles for condition2
} @else {
  // styles if none of the conditions are met
}

🔢 Parameters

condition1: The first condition to test.
condition2: The second condition to test if the first condition is false.
@else: A fallback option if none of the previous conditions are true.

↩️ Return Value

@else if does not return a value but allows you to control the flow of styles based on multiple conditions.

📝 Example Usage

Here are some examples to illustrate how @else if can be used effectively in Sass.

📜 Example 1: Simple Conditional Logic

example.scss

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$theme: light;

@if $theme == light {
  body {
    background-color: #ffffff; // Light background for light theme
    color: #000000; // Dark text for light theme
  }
} @else if $theme == dark {
  body {
    background-color: #000000; // Dark background for dark theme
    color: #ffffff; // Light text for dark theme
  }
} @else {
  body {
    background-color: #f0f0f0; // Default background
    color: #333333; // Default text color
  }
}

In this example, the @else if directive allows you to handle different themes by applying different styles based on the value of $theme.

📜 Example 2: Responsive Design

example.scss

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$screen-size: medium;

@if $screen-size == small {
  .container {
    width: 100%;
  }
} @else if $screen-size == medium {
  .container {
    width: 75%;
  }
} @else if $screen-size == large {
  .container {
    width: 50%;
  }
} @else {
  .container {
    width: 100%;
  }
}

This example demonstrates how @else if can be used to set different container widths based on screen size.

⚠️ Common Pitfalls

Missing @else Block: If you only use @if and @else if without an @else block, ensure that all possible conditions are covered. Otherwise, styles may not be applied as expected if none of the conditions are true.
Condition Overlap: Be cautious with overlapping conditions. Ensure that each condition is mutually exclusive or logically ordered to avoid unexpected results.
Incorrect Condition Syntax: Double-check the syntax of your conditions. Incorrect expressions or variables might cause errors or unintended behavior.
Nested Conditions: Avoid excessive nesting of @if and @else if conditions, as it can make your code harder to read and maintain. Consider using functions or mixins for complex logic.

🎉 Conclusion

The @else if directive in Sass enhances the flexibility of conditional styling by allowing you to handle multiple conditions in a clear and organized manner. By combining it with @if and @else, you can create sophisticated and responsive designs that adapt to various scenarios.

Mastering @else if will enable you to write more dynamic and maintainable stylesheets, making your code both versatile and robust. Experiment with different conditions and ensure that your logic covers all possible cases to create seamless and effective styles.