Auto height problem for container

i imagine has been asked here before not find in search. problem reaccurring 1 , feel there must simple answer it.

 

when start of website projects set in simple box model. start overall wrapper. inside have header div on top, main content div in middle , footer div on bottom. inside main content div have various columns etc. ideally "maincontent" box set auto height allow page keep same layout without having change css page page. problem though if set maincontent box auto collapse top of box , while content of box (various divs within it) display properly, box not. solution far set height maincontent box. means need create "this page only" styles pages differernt content heights.

 

is there simple thing should doing maincontent div css make behave should? why not have problem overall wrapper div?

 

any suggestions appreciated.

 

thanks,

cathy

based on question i'm guessing  you're not happy dreamweaver's design view handling of floats. floating elements takes them out of normal document flow, meaning their  parent element collapse down because content outside of  normal flow (i.e. parent doesn't see floated element taking height). dreamweaver showing you.

 

solutions:

 

1).     ignore dreamweaver's design view , test in browsers view counts

 

2).     use min-height css property give parent elements @ least form of height while still retaining flexibility allow content grow/adjust height needed.

 

3).      you're doing , use design-time stylesheets make dreamweaver's design view work/look way want it.

 

my suggestion not worry height, let content determine height, check work in browser, , use dreamweaver's design view gross aproximations.

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