Position absolute and overflow hidden

Question

We have two DIVs, one embedded in the other. If the outer DIV is not positioned absolute then the inner DIV, which is positioned absolute, does not obey the overflow hidden of the outer DIV (example).

Is there any chance to make the inner DIV obey the overflow hidden of the outer DIV without setting the outer DIV to position absolute (cause that will muck up our complete layout)? Also position relative for our inner DIV isn't an option as we need to "grow out" of a table TD (exmple).

Are there any other options?

Solution 1

Make outer <div> to position: relative and inner <div> to position: absolute. It should work for you.

Solution 2

What about position: relative for the outer div? In the example that hides the inner one. It also won't move it in its layout since you don't specify a top or left.

Solution 3

An absolutely positioned element is actually positioned regarding a relative parent, or the nearest found relative parent. So the element with overflow: hidden should be between relative and absolute positioned elements:

<div class="relative-parent">
  <div class="hiding-parent">
    <div class="child"></div>
  </div>
</div>

.relative-parent {
  position:relative;
}
.hiding-parent {
  overflow:hidden;
}
.child {
  position:absolute; 
}

Solution 4

Make sure.

1. parent position relative.
2. parent have manually assigned width and height(important as child element having absolute position).
3. child position absolute;

.outer{
   position:relative;
   width:200px; 
   height:100px;
   overflow:hidden;
}

.inner{
   position:absolute;
   width:100px;
   height:100px;
   font-size:3rem;
}

<div class="outer">
<div class=inner>
Inner DIV to apply overflw hidden
</div>
</div>

}

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Comments

[medihack]

Thanks to you both. I always thought position:relative is the default. I just learned that static is the default. I accept shankhans answer as both answers are equivalent and shankhan needs some more points ;-)

[showdev]

Some explanation and/or documentation would be a great addition.