center div contents?

[Coupee36]

Hello all,

I am having trouble trying to center the div contents currently created. I have searched and tried different methods but to no luck. As of right now, the contents looks fine on a 800x600 resolution but when viewed on a high resolution the contents are off the left and the unused space on the right. I would simply like the contents to be centered in the middle of the page regardless of resolution the page is being viewed under. The page i am creating is for a family member to serve as a temporarily landing page.

Here is the current Code I have
*note i am using a template from a example contact form which made it easier for me to tweak and use it to my needs*

/* 
 * HTML5 ✰ Boilerplate
 *
 * What follows is the result of much research on cross-browser styling. 
 * Credit left inline and big thanks to Nicolas Gallagher, Jonathan Neal,
 * Kroc Camen, and the H5BP dev community and team.
 *
 * Detailed information about this CSS: h5bp.com/css
 * 
 * ==|== normalize ==========================================================
 */


/* =============================================================================
 HTML5 display definitions
 ========================================================================== */

article, aside, details, figcaption, figure, footer, header, hgroup, nav, section { display: block; }
audio, canvas, video { display: inline-block; *display: inline; *zoom: 1; }
audio:not([controls]) { display: none; }
[hidden] { display: none; }

/* =============================================================================
 Base
 ========================================================================== */

/*
 * 1. Correct text resizing oddly in IE6/7 when body font-size is set using em units
 * 2. Force vertical scrollbar in non-IE
 * 3. Prevent iOS text size adjust on device orientation change, without disabling user zoom: h5bp.com/g
 */

html { font-size: 100%; overflow-y: scroll; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; }

body { margin: 0; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.231; }

body, button, input, select, textarea { font-family: sans-serif; color: #222; }

/* 
 * Remove text-shadow in selection highlight: h5bp.com/i
 * These selection declarations have to be separate
 * Also: hot pink! (or customize the background color to match your design)
 */

::-moz-selection { background: #fe57a1; color: #fff; text-shadow: none; }
::selection { background: #fe57a1; color: #fff; text-shadow: none; }


/* =============================================================================
 Links
 ========================================================================== */

a { color: #00e; }
a:visited { color: #551a8b; }
a:hover { color: #06e; }
a:focus { outline: thin dotted; }

/* Improve readability when focused and hovered in all browsers: h5bp.com/h */
a:hover, a:active { outline: 0; }


/* =============================================================================
 Typography
 ========================================================================== */

abbr[title] { border-bottom: 1px dotted; }

b, strong { font-weight: bold; }

blockquote { margin: 1em 40px; }

dfn { font-style: italic; }

hr { display: block; height: 1px; border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; margin: 1em 0; padding: 0; }

ins { background: #ff9; color: #000; text-decoration: none; }

mark { background: #ff0; color: #000; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; }

/* Redeclare monospace font family: h5bp.com/j */
pre, code, kbd, samp { font-family: monospace, monospace; _font-family: 'courier new', monospace; font-size: 1em; }

/* Improve readability of pre-formatted text in all browsers */
pre { white-space: pre; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word; }

q { quotes: none; }
q:before, q:after { content: ""; content: none; }

small { font-size: 85%; }

/* Position subscript and superscript content without affecting line-height: h5bp.com/k */
sub, sup { font-size: 75%; line-height: 0; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; }
sup { top: -0.5em; }
sub { bottom: -0.25em; }


/* =============================================================================
 Lists
 ========================================================================== */

ul, ol { margin: 1em 0; padding: 0 0 0 40px; }
dd { margin: 0 0 0 40px; }
nav ul, nav ol { list-style: none; list-style-image: none; margin: 0; padding: 0; }


/* =============================================================================
 Embedded content
 ========================================================================== */

/*
 * 1. Improve image quality when scaled in IE7: h5bp.com/d
 * 2. Remove the gap between images and borders on image containers: h5bp.com/e 
 */

img { border: 0; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; vertical-align: middle; }

/*
 * Correct overflow not hidden in IE9 
 */

svg:not(:root) { overflow: hidden; }


/* =============================================================================
 Figures
 ========================================================================== */

figure { margin: 0; }


/* =============================================================================
 Forms
 ========================================================================== */

form {
margin: 0;
position: absolute;
top: 373px;
right: 52px;
width: 451px;
height: 192px;
}
fieldset { border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; }

/* Indicate that 'label' will shift focus to the associated form element */
label { cursor: pointer; }

/* 
 * 1. Correct color not inheriting in IE6/7/8/9 
 * 2. Correct alignment displayed oddly in IE6/7 
 */

legend { border: 0; *margin-left: -7px; padding: 0; }

/*
 * 1. Correct font-size not inheriting in all browsers
 * 2. Remove margins in FF3/4 S5 Chrome
 * 3. Define consistent vertical alignment display in all browsers
 */

button, input, select, textarea { font-size: 100%; margin: 0; vertical-align: baseline; *vertical-align: middle; }

/*
 * 1. Define line-height as normal to match FF3/4 (set using !important in the UA stylesheet)
 * 2. Correct inner spacing displayed oddly in IE6/7
 */

button, input { line-height: normal; *overflow: visible; }

/*
 * Reintroduce inner spacing in 'table' to avoid overlap and whitespace issues in IE6/7
 */

table button, table input { *overflow: auto; }

/*
 * 1. Display hand cursor for clickable form elements
 * 2. Allow styling of clickable form elements in iOS
 */

button, input[type="button"], input[type="reset"], input[type="submit"] { cursor: pointer; -webkit-appearance: button; }

/*
 * Consistent box sizing and appearance
 */

input[type="checkbox"], input[type="radio"] { box-sizing: border-box; }
input[type="search"] { -webkit-appearance: textfield; -moz-box-sizing: content-box; -webkit-box-sizing: content-box; box-sizing: content-box; }
input[type="search"]::-webkit-search-decoration { -webkit-appearance: none; }

/* 
 * Remove inner padding and border in FF3/4: h5bp.com/l 
 */

button::-moz-focus-inner, input::-moz-focus-inner { border: 0; padding: 0; }

/* 
 * 1. Remove default vertical scrollbar in IE6/7/8/9 
 * 2. Allow only vertical resizing
 */

textarea { overflow: auto; vertical-align: top; resize: vertical; }

/* Colors for form validity */
input:valid, textarea:valid { }
input:invalid, textarea:invalid { background-color: #edeeee; }


/* =============================================================================
 Tables
 ========================================================================== */

table { border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; }
td { vertical-align: top; }


/* ==|== primary styles =====================================================
 Author: example[size=2][/size]
 ========================================================================== */
 #contact-form {
width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
min-height: 600px;
padding:20px;
margin: 50px auto;
border: 6px none #3194ce;
-moz-border-radius:15px;
-webkit-border-radius:15px;
border-radius:15px;
position:absolute;
background-image: url(img/bg.jpg);
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position: center center;

 } 
 
 #contact-form h1 { 
 font-size:42px; 

 } 
 
 #contact-form h2 {
margin-bottom:15px;
font-style:italic;
font-weight:normal;
color: white;
position:absolute;
left: 336px;
top: 329px;
width: 370px;
 } 
 
 #contact-form input, 
 #contact-form select, 
 #contact-form textarea, 
 #contact-form label { 
 font-size:15px; 
 margin-bottom:2px; 

 } 
 
 #contact-form input, 
 #contact-form select, 
 #contact-form textarea { 
 width:450px; 
 border: 1px solid #CEE1E8; 
 margin-bottom:20px; 
 padding:4px; 
 } 
 
 #contact-form input:focus, 
 #contact-form select:focus, 
 #contact-form textarea:focus {
border: 1px solid #AFCDD8;
background-color: #EBF2F4;
 } 
 
 #contact-form textarea { 
 height:150px; 
 resize: none; 
 } 
 
 #contact-form label {
display:block;
 } 
 
 #contact-form .required { 
 font-weight:bold; 
 color:#F00; 
 } 
 
 #contact-form #submit-button { 
 width: 100px; 
 background-color:#333; 
 color:#FFF; 
 border:none; 
 display:block; 
 float:rightright; 
 margin-bottom:0px; 
 margin-right:6px; 
 background-color:#3194ce; 
 -moz-border-radius:8px; 
 } 
 
 #contact-form #submit-button:hover { 
 background-color: #A6CFDD; 
 } 
 
 #contact-form #submit-button:active { 
 position:relative; 
 top:1px; 
 } 
 
 #contact-form #loading { 
 width:32px; 
 height:32px; 
 background-image:url(../img/loading.gif); 
 display:block; 
 position:absolute; 
 rightright:130px; 
 bottombottom:16px; 
 display:none; 
 } 
 
 #errors { 
 border:solid 1px #E58E8E; 
 padding:10px; 
 margin:25px 0px; 
 display:block; 
 width:437px; 
 -webkit-border-radius:8px; 
 -moz-border-radius:8px; 
 border-radius:8px; 
 background:#FFE6E6 url(../img/cancel_48.png) no-repeat 405px center; 
 display:none; 
 } 
 
 #errors li { 
 padding:2px; 
 list-style:none; 
 } 
 
 #errors li:before { 
 content: ' - '; 
 } 
 
 #errors #info { 
 font-weight:bold; 
 } 
 
 #errors #info:before { 
 content: ''; 
 } 
 
 #success { 
 border:solid 1px #83D186; 
 padding:25px 10px; 
 margin:25px 0px; 
 display:block; 
 width:437px; 
 -webkit-border-radius:8px; 
 -moz-border-radius:8px; 
 border-radius:8px; 
 background:#D3EDD3 url(../img/accepted_48.png) no-repeat 405px center; 
 font-weight:bold; 
 display:none; 
 } 
 
 #errors.visible, #success.visible { 
 display:block; 
 } 
 
 #req-field-desc { 
 font-style:italic; 
 } 
 
 /* Remove box shadow firefox, chrome and opera put around required fields. It looks rubbish. */ 
 input:required, textarea:required { 
 -moz-box-shadow:none; 
 -webkit-box-shadow:none; 
 -o-box-shadow:none; 
 box-shadow:none; 
 } 
 
 /* Normalize placeholder styles */ 
 
 /* chrome, safari */ 
 ::-webkit-input-placeholder { 
 color:#CCC; 
 font-style:italic; 
 } 
 
 /* mozilla */ 
 input:-moz-placeholder, textarea:-moz-placeholder { 
 color:#CCC; 
 font-style:italic; 
 } 
 
 /* ie (faux placeholder) */ 
 input.placeholder-text, textarea.placeholder-text { 
 color:#CCC; 
 font-style:italic; 
 } 


/* ==|== non-semantic helper classes ========================================
 Please define your styles before this section.
 ========================================================================== */

/* For image replacement */
.ir { display: block; border: 0; text-indent: -999em; overflow: hidden; background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; text-align: left; direction: ltr; }
.ir br { display: none; }

/* Hide from both screenreaders and browsers: h5bp.com/u */
.hidden { display: none !important; visibility: hidden; }

/* Hide only visually, but have it available for screenreaders: h5bp.com/v */
.visuallyhidden { border: 0; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0; position: absolute; width: 1px; }

/* Extends the .visuallyhidden class to allow the element to be focusable when navigated to via the keyboard: h5bp.com/p */
.visuallyhidden.focusable:active, .visuallyhidden.focusable:focus { clip: auto; height: auto; margin: 0; overflow: visible; position: static; width: auto; }

/* Hide visually and from screenreaders, but maintain layout */
.invisible { visibility: hidden; }

/* Contain floats: h5bp.com/q */ 
.clearfix:before, .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; }
.clearfix:after { clear: both; }
.clearfix { zoom: 1; }



/* ==|== media queries ======================================================
 PLACEHOLDER Media Queries for Responsive Design.
 These override the primary ('mobile first') styles
 Modify as content requires.
 ========================================================================== */

@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) {
 /* Style adjustments for viewports 480px and over go here */

}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
 /* Style adjustments for viewports 768px and over go here */

}



/* ==|== print styles =======================================================
 Print styles.
 Inlined to avoid required HTTP connection: h5bp.com/r
 ========================================================================== */
 
@media print {
 * { background: transparent !important; color: black !important; text-shadow: none !important; filter:none !important; -ms-filter: none !important; } /* Black prints faster: h5bp.com/s */
 a, a:visited { text-decoration: underline; }
 a[href]:after { content: " (" attr(href) ")"; }
 abbr[title]:after { content: " (" attr(title) ")"; }
 .ir a:after, a[href^="javascript:"]:after, a[href^="#"]:after { content: ""; } /* Don't show links for images, or javascript/internal links */
 pre, blockquote { border: 1px solid #999; page-break-inside: avoid; }
 thead { display: table-header-group; } /* h5bp.com/t */
 tr, img { page-break-inside: avoid; }
 img {
max-width: 100% !important;
position: absolute;
height: 300px;
width: 225px;
left: 51px;
top: 197px;
}
 @page { margin: 0.5cm; }
 p, h2, h3 { orphans: 3; widows: 3; }
 h2, h3 { page-break-after: avoid; }
}

[rocknbil]

Welcome aboard Coupee36, I think your first mistake is grabbing a generated style sheet (or one created by someone else, or a service) and just going at it without fully understanding what it does.

I can't see your "container." Simply, put, to center a block level container of a specific width (fixed or fluid) you use margin: auto. For text and some inline elements, text-align: center;

#container { width: 800px; margin: auto; }
/* or width 75%, etc. */
h1 { text-align: center; }

<div id="container">
<h1> I'm Grounded and Centered</h1>
<p>The heading will be centered inside container due to text-align: center and this text will default to left aligned within container.</p>
</div> <!-- end container -->

So whatever your "container" is, margin:auto should do it - unless the container is floated or you use absolute positioning, but that's another story.

[Coupee36]

ROCKNBIL,

thank you for the prompt reply. I do agree i made a mistake by using a pregenerated style, but at that time i just wanted a contact form then i figure if i tweaked it here and there i could get it to look how i want it to look, one thing led to another and now im stuck here..

anyhow, thank you again, I will give your suggestion a try.

This is the code in the index.php :

<body>
<div id="contact-form" class="clearfix"> 
<h1>first header here</h1> 
 <h2>Get connected with the latest updates!</h2>
  
   <?php 
 //init variables 
 $cf = array(); 
 $sr = false; 
  
 if(isset($_SESSION['cf_returndata'])){ 
  $cf = $_SESSION['cf_returndata']; 
  $sr = true; 
 } 
 ?> 
<ul id="errors" class="<?php echo ($sr && !$cf['form_ok']) ? 'visible' : ''; ?>"> 
 <li id="info">There were some problems with your form submission:</li> 
 <?php 
 if(isset($cf['errors']) && count($cf['errors']) > 0) : 
  foreach($cf['errors'] as $error) : 
 ?> 
 <li><?php echo $error ?></li> 
 <?php 
  endforeach; 
 endif; 
 ?> 
</ul> 
<p id="success" class="<?php echo ($sr && $cf['form_ok']) ? 'visible' : ''; ?>">Thanks, we will keep you connected!</p> 
<form method="post" action="process.php"> 
   <Font color="#319cce" ><label for="name">Name: <span class="required">*</span></label> 
<input type="text" id="name" name="name" value="<?php echo ($sr && !$cf['form_ok']) ? $cf['posted_form_data']['name'] : '' ?>" placeholder="John Doe" required="required" autofocus="autofocus" /> 
 
<label for="email">Email Address: <span class="required">*</span></label></font> 
<input type="email" id="email" name="email" value="<?php echo ($sr && !$cf['form_ok']) ? $cf['posted_form_data']['email'] : '' ?>" placeholder="[e-mail]" required="required" /> 
<span id="loading"></span> 
<input type="submit" value="Connect!" id="submit-button" /> 
<p id="req-field-desc"><span class="required">*</span> indicates a required field</p> 
</form>
</div> 

<!--! end of #contact form -->

[lucy24]

Some versions of MSIE simply ignore anything involving {margin-left: auto;} such as centered tables or positioned divs. (Personal Experience.) So you have to either add redundancies to the code or :: horror :: proceed to the Conditional Comment.

[rocknbil]

I think I see it. You have 0 auto on #contact-form, which is your container div, (confusing name though :-) ) but it is set to position:absolute without coordinates, which defaults to 0 0 (top left.) Then you have this:

form {
margin: 0;
position: absolute;
top: 373px;
right: 52px;
width: 451px;
height: 192px;
}

Absolute positioning takes the element out of the normal flow of the document **unless** the parent element has a positioning selector. So even if you remove position:absolute from #contact-form, it may still pop out of the container. Try adding

position: relative

to the selector for #contact-form. This should contain form inside #contact-form:

#contact-form {
width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
min-height: 600px;
padding:20px;
margin: 50px auto;
border: 6px none #3194ce;
-moz-border-radius:15px;
-webkit-border-radius:15px;
border-radius:15px;
/*position:absolute; <-- no */
position: relative;
background-image: url(img/bg.jpg);
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position: center center;

}

[Coupee36]

Hey rock, i appreciate the suggestion. I havent had time to make the changes, due to work. But I hope i will be able to do so tonight, thanks again for the help! Glad to have you stay on top of my post. Person mark for you, sir! :)