How to Use colspan=2 in CSS Grid Layout

How to Get `colspan=2` in a CSS Grid Layout

When working with CSS Grid in a React component using styled-components, you might need an element to span multiple columns. This guide will show you how to correctly implement colspan=2 using grid-column.

✅ Solution: Using `grid-column` to Span 2 Columns

To make an element span two columns in CSS Grid, use grid-column: start / span 2;.

1. Define the Parent Grid Container

First, ensure that your parent container is set up as a grid with defined columns.

const GridContainer = styled.div`
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); /* 4 equal columns */
  gap: 10px; /* Adjust spacing between grid items */
`

2. Apply `grid-column` to Child Elements

Now, update the styled component for the element that should span two columns:

const ValueComments = styled.div`
  grid-column: 2 / span 2; /* Starts at column 2 and spans 2 columns */
  grid-row: ${(props) => props.gridRow}; /* Dynamic row based on props */
`

3. Implement in a React Component

Apply these styles in your React component to ensure proper column spanning:

const AdjustmentsGrid = ({ adjustments }) => {
  return (
    <GridContainer>
      {adjustments.map((adjustment, index) => (
        <>
          <Value textAlign="right" gridCol={1} gridRow={index + 3} weight={'regular'}>
            <select>
              <option />
              <option value="-">Non-recurring income</option>
              <option value="+">Non-recurring expense</option>
              <option value="-">Rental Income (new purchase)</option>
              <option value="+">Rental Expense (new purchase)</option>
              <option value="+">Discretionary Super</option>
              <option value="-">Capex</option>
              <option value="-">Working Capital Adjustments</option>
            </select>
          </Value>

          <Value textAlign="right" gridCol={2} gridRow={index + 3}>
            {adjustment.lastYear}
          </Value>

          <Value textAlign="right" gridCol={3} gridRow={index + 3}>
            {adjustment.currentYear}
          </Value>

          <Value textAlign="right" gridCol={4} gridRow={index + 3}>
            DEL
          </Value>

          {/* Span 2 columns here */}
          <ValueComments textAlign="right" gridRow={index + 4}>
            <textarea>Leave your comments here</textarea>
          </ValueComments>
        </>
      ))}
    </GridContainer>
  )
}

✅ Final Notes

The parent container (GridContainer) must have display: grid and correctly defined grid-template-columns.
Use grid-column: 2 / span 2; for the child element that should span two columns.
Ensure each child component is positioned correctly using gridRow dynamically.

🧐 FAQs

1. Why isn't `grid-column: span 2;` working?

Ensure that the parent container is using display: grid and has enough defined columns.

2. What if the layout breaks with multiple adjustments?

Ensure that each component is properly structured inside GridContainer. Each ValueComments should have a separate row.

3. Can I use `grid-column: span 2;` instead of `2 / span 2;`?

Yes, but it will depend on the starting position. grid-column: span 2; will span two columns from the default start position, which might not be column 2.

How to Get colspan=2 in a CSS Grid Layout

✅ Solution: Using grid-column to Span 2 Columns