How to Keep Absolute Divs Containted?

Help with multi-user template

[epsd]

I'm using PHP auto append/prepend to include a header and footer for my site. The content is then contained in a (lets say) 700px box that is started in the header and finished in the footer.

The site is for multiple users, so when they create content, it is contained. However, if they use an absolute DIV, they can position it outside of the main body. The absolute divs won't nest for some reason. I've tried ending the header with an open div and with an open table. Works great for normal content, but the absolutes still bust through! Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[lavazza]

Have you tried using 'clear'?

e.g.

CSS

.clear { 
clear: both; 
} 

and/or

#myDiv { 
clear:both;  
width:100%; 
min-height: 250px; 
/* etc */ 
} 

HTML

<div id="myDiv"> 
... contents 
... contents 
</div> 
<div class="clear"></div> 
<div id="myNextDiv"> 
... contents 
... contents 
</div> 
<div class="clear"></div> 
<div id="anotherDiv"> 
... contents 
... contents 
</div> 

[Xapti]

I don't think he's having the problem you are assuming, lavazza. He never mentioned that he was using floats or anything like that. Not sure what you're thinking about, but absolute positioning isn't affected by clears.

I believe the problem is that you don't have "containing block" established for your wrapper div, meaning that positioning would be done relative to the base of the page, and not the div.
To make the div a containing block, just include "position:relative" in it's style. If you also have problems with the positioned divs leaking past the sides (overflowing), use "overflow:hidden".

[edited by: Xapti at 2:59 am (utc) on Oct. 18, 2007]

[epsd]

Worked perfect Xapti. Thanks very much, I was banging my head against the wall on that one! This place is the bestest!