Variables in CSS?

[Brujah]

Is it possible to use variables in CSS? I have an html layout. I want to use one main css for structure and just decide on the colors based on a variable if possible. Can it be done?

[darksoul]

it can't be done with pure css afaik. But look into dynamically loading css files with javascript
that'll get your stuff done.

[harvey]

I'm not sure what do you exactly need, but if I'm getting you right, of course you can, and it's quite easy, check http://interfacelab.com/variables-in-css-via-php/

in action (from http://sperling.com/examples/pcss/ )

in action (from http://sperling.com/examples/pcss/)

<?php
header("Content-type: text/css");
$color = "green";        // <--- define the variable 
echo <<<CSS   
/* --- start of css --- */
h2
	{
	color: $color;  /* <--- use the variable */
	font-weight: bold;
	font-size: 1.2em;
	text-align: left;
	}
/* --- end of css --- */
CSS;
?>

I already made a few projects using this method and works like a charm, in conjunction with XSL/XML environments is a real help then again, not sure if this is what you're looking for

[harvey]

aaah, now I see you want html and not php... well, there are ways, but don't remember exactly how since I didn't pay much attention because it was too much work for the result

[StuartD]

Strangely enough, you can do it in IE but not any other browser. Go figure, the one browser that does CSS the worst....

In IE... you can do this:

<style>
#column1 {
width: expression(document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]) / 2);
}
</style>

In IE, you can use javascript within the expression brackets. But every other browser will ignore it.

You can

[StuartD]

Wow, gfy makes posting slow...

Anyway, I was going to finish with:

You can do it that way to avoid using php if you don't know it or have it readily available but php will give you way more control.

[Kard63]

What is your avatar Stuart? It looks like a fox turning into a sea creature and humping the earth.

[StuartD]

What is your avatar Stuart? It looks like a fox turning into a sea creature and humping the earth.

Heh, pretty damn close actually.

It's a 3d representation of the Firefox logo.

[brandonstills]

If you use a dynamic language like PHP to generate it. It's more difficult if the file ends in .css because you would have to configure apache to treat it as PHP (which also slows the request down), but if you do it as an embedded CSS in a PHP file this is definitely possible.

There was some talk of CSS variables recently but until it becomes standard in all browsers I don't see a point in looking into it.

[Brujah]

Some good suggestions, and I can definitely work with these. Thanks.