Understanding and Fixing Horizontal Scroll in IE11 with Bootstrap 4 Grid

When developing responsive websites, it's crucial to ensure compatibility across all browsers, including older versions such as Internet Explorer 11 (IE11). One common issue arises when using Bootstrap 4's grid system, particularly with a full container. This article explores the causes of horizontal scrollbars in IE11 and provides solutions to address this problem.

Identifying the Issue: Horizontal Scroll in IE11

Horizontal scrollbars in IE11, when using Bootstrap 4, can be attributed to the grid layout not being properly adapted for the smaller screen and older rendering engine. This issue primarily manifests when the content inside a grid element exceeds the viewport width, causing the browser to scroll horizontally to view the full content. To illustrate, consider the following HTML structure:

          div class"container-fluid"              div class"row"                  div class"col-md-6"                      Content                  /div                  div class"col-md-6"                      div class"row"                          div class"col-md-12"                              More Content                          /div                      /div                  /div              /div          /div          

Solutions to Fix Horizontal Scroll in IE11

1. Using .container-fluid

One immediate solution is to use the .container-fluid class instead of .container. This class provides a full-width container, which can help prevent horizontal scrollbars. Here's an example of how to implement it:

          div class"container-fluid"              div class"row"                  div class"col-md-6"                      Content                  /div                  div class"col-md-6"                      div class"row"                          div class"col-md-12"                              More Content                          /div                      /div                  /div              /div          /div          

2. Media Queries for Older Browsers

Another approach is to use media queries to provide a fallback grid layout for IE11. By creating a custom grid system with media queries, you can ensure that the layout remains responsive and doesn't cause horizontal scrollbars. Here's an example:

          @media (max-width: 992px) {              .col-md-6, .col-md-12 {                  width: 100%;              }          }          

3. Using Support Queries

Bootstrap's @supports allows you to target browsers that don't support certain features, such as flexbox. By using this feature, you can provide an alternative layout for older browsers like IE11. Here's how you can implement it:

          .container {              @supports (display: flex) {                  /* Normal layout for modern browsers */              }              @supports not (display: flex) {                  /* Fallback layout for older browsers */                  .row {                      display: block;                      width: 100%;                       .col {                          display: block;                          width: 100%;                      }                  }              }          }          

Conclusion

Addressing horizontal scroll issues in IE11 when using Bootstrap 4 can be achieved through careful coding and the use of fallback styles. Whether you opt for using .container-fluid, implementing media queries, or leveraging support queries, ensuring your website remains fully functional and aesthetically pleasing across all browsers is essential. By following these guidelines, you can create a more robust and user-friendly experience for all visitors, including those using older versions of browsers like IE11.