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<pre class='metadata'>
Title: CSS Gap Decorations
Shortname: css-gap-decorations
Level: 1
Status: ED
Work Status: exploring
Group: CSSWG
Abstract: This is a proposal to extend <a href="https://drafts.csswg.org/css-align">CSS Box Alignment</a> to support gap decorations.
Markup Shorthands: biblio yes
Markup Shorthands: css yes
Markup Shorthands: dfn yes
Boilerplate: repository-issue-tracking off
</pre>
<pre class="link-defaults">
spec:css-box-4; type:value; for:<box>; text:margin-box
spec:css-grid-3; type:dfn; text:masonry axis
spec:css-grid-2; type:dfn; text:collapsed track
</pre>
Introduction {#intro}
=====================
<em>This section is not normative.</em>
Overview {#overview}
--------------------
This is a proposal to add CSS features for decorating <a href="https://drafts.csswg.org/css-align#gaps">gaps</a>.
(Some use cases and background discussion can be found in <a href="https://github.com/w3c/csswg-drafts/issues/2748">issue #2748</a>.)
We propose to extend the 'column-rule-width' property with new values.
Add properties to support images and gradients.
Add properties for aligning the rule to specific anchor points,
specifying its extent area, and to control its position and length within that area.
We add support for row rules by adding the corresponding 'row-*' properties.
We also widen the scope of these properties so that they can be used in
<a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>,
<a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers,
as well as <a>multi-column containers</a>.
Module Interactions {#placement}
--------------------------------
This module extends the definition of the 'column-rule-width' property,
adding <<percentage>> and ''row-rule-width/auto'' values.
We also generalize the existing ''column-rule-*'' properties to apply to other
types of containers.
Accordingly, we propose to move the existing ''column-rule'' properties from
Additionally, all new properties and shorthands in this proposal are intended
Definitions {#definitions}
--------------------------------
In this specification, we will use the term <dfn>lateral axis</dfn> to refer to
the axis in which the rule's thickness grows (i.e. the axis ''column-rule-width''
use). The other axis is the rule's <dfn>longitudinal axis</dfn> and
its size in this axis is the <dfn>rule length</dfn>.
These definitions are relative to the rule itself and does not depend on if
the rule is a row or column rule, or what the 'writing-mode' is.
Rule Images and Gradients {#rule-image}
=======================================
Authors may specify an image or gradient to be used in place of the ''column-rule-style''.
These properties are loosely modeled after the corresponding
Rules are one-dimensional though, as opposed to borders which have four sides around an area.
A rule is like a border with just one side rendered with the other sides having ''border-style: none''.
The 'column-rule-image-source' and 'row-rule-image-source' Properties {#column-rule-image-source}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class=propdef>
Name: column-rule-image-source, row-rule-image-source
Value: none | <<image>>
Initial: none
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: N/A
Computed value: the keyword ''column-rule-image-source/none'' or the computed <<image>>
Animation type: discrete
</pre>
These properties specify an <<image>> to use in place of the rendering specified
by the ''column-rule-style''/''row-rule-style'' properties.
As for borders, a rule image is not rendered when the corresponding ''column-rule-style''/''row-rule-style'' is ''column-rule-style/none''.
The 'column-rule-image-slice' and 'row-rule-image-slice' Properties {#column-rule-image-slice}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class=propdef>
Name: column-rule-image-slice, row-rule-image-slice
Value: [<<number [0,∞]>> | <<percentage [0,∞]>>]{1,2}
Initial: 0
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: refer to image size in the rule's longitudinal axis
Computed value: one or two values, each either a number or percentage
Animation type: discrete
</pre>
'column-rule-image-slice' specify inward offsets from the start and end edges
of the image in the rule's longitudinal axis, dividing it into three regions:
two edge areas and one middle area.
When two values are specified, they set the offsets on the start and end sides in
that order. If the end value is missing, it is the same as the start value.
<dl dfn-for=column-rule-image-slice dfn-type=value>
<dt><dfn><<percentage [0,∞]>></dfn>
<dd>Percentages are relative to the image size in the rule's longitudinal axis
<dt><dfn><<number [0,∞]>></dfn>
<dd>Numbers represent pixels in the image (if the image is a raster
image) or vector coordinates (if the image is a vector image).
</dl>
Negative values are not allowed.
Computed values larger than the size of the image are interpreted as ''100%''.
If the image must be sized to determine the slices
(for example, for SVG images with no intrinsic size),
then it is sized using the [[css-images-3#default-sizing]]
with no [=specified size=] and the [=rule containing rectangle=] as the [=default object size=].
The regions given by the 'column-rule-image-slice' values may overlap.
However if the sum of the start and end values is equal to or greater than
the size of the image, the middle part becomes empty.
The 'column-rule-image-repeat' and 'row-rule-image-repeat' Properties {#column-rule-image-repeat}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class=propdef>
Name: column-rule-image-repeat, row-rule-image-repeat
Value: stretch | repeat | round | space
Initial: stretch
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: N/A
Computed value: the specified keyword
Animation type: discrete
</pre>
These properties specify how the middle part of a sliced rule image is scaled and tiled.
Values have the following meanings:
<dl dfn-for=column-rule-image-repeat dfn-type=value>
<dt><dfn>stretch</dfn></dt>
<dd>The image is stretched to fill the area.
<dt><dfn>repeat</dfn></dt>
<dd>The image is tiled (repeated) to fill the area.
<dt><dfn>round</dfn></dt>
<dd>The image is tiled (repeated) to fill the area. If it does not
fill the area with a whole number of tiles, the image is rescaled
so that it does.
<dt><dfn>space</dfn></dt>
<dd>The image is tiled (repeated) to fill the area. If it does not
fill the area with a whole number of tiles, the extra space is
distributed around the tiles.
</dl>
The exact process for scaling and tiling the image parts is defined by drawing the equivalent
''border-image'' with the top and bottom ''border-image-slice'' values set from the corresponding
''column-rule-image-slice'' values, and the ''border-image-slice'' left value set to ''100%'' and
the right value set to ''0''. The ''border-image-width'' top value set to the ''column-rule-image-slice''
top value. The ''border-image-width'' top value set to the ''column-rule-image-slice''
bottom value. The ''border-image-width'' top value set to zero.
The 'column-rule-image' and 'row-rule-image' Shorthands {#column-rule-image}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class='propdef shorthand'>
Name: column-rule-image, row-rule-image
Value: <<'column-rule-image-source'>> || <<'column-rule-image-slice'>> || <<'column-rule-image-repeat'>>
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
</pre>
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/grid-image-001.html">example</a> demonstrates the new
rule image properties presented above in a grid layout with spanning elements.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-image-001.png">
<figcaption>
Example of image rules.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
<aside class=example>
Here's a <a href="examples/grid-image-002.html">variation</a> of the example above
that animates the container's size and stretch the middle part of the images.
<figure>
<video src="media/grid-image-002.webm" autoplay loop></video>
<figcaption>
Example of stretching image rules when the container is resized.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
<aside class=example>
This is a similar <a href="examples/grid-gradient-001.html">example</a> using gradients.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-gradient-001.png">
<figcaption>
Example of gradient rules.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
<aside class=example>
Here's an <a href="examples/flexbox-coupon-rule.html">example</a> demonstrating
support for a use case mentioned in
It's a coupon with a perforation rendered by a semi-transparent rule image between two flex items.
<figure>
<img src="media/flexbox-coupon-rule.png">
<figcaption>
An example of a semi-transparent column rule image.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
Rule Positioning and Sizing {#size}
===================================
The 'column-rule-width' and 'row-rule-width' Properties {#column-rule-width}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class='propdef partial'>
Name: column-rule-width
New Values: <<percentage>> | auto
Initial: medium
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: refer to the [=rule containing rectangle's=] size in the rule's [=lateral axis=]
Computed value: absolute length if the specified value is <<line-width>>; ''0px'' if the column rule style is ''column-rule-style/none'' or ''column-rule-style/hidden''. Otherwise, the specified value.
Animation type: by computed value type
</pre>
<pre class='propdef'>
Name: row-rule-width
Value: <<line-width>> | <<percentage>> | auto
Initial: medium
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: refer to the [=rule containing rectangle's=] size in the rule's [=lateral axis=]
Computed value: absolute length if the specified value is <<line-width>>; ''0px'' if the column rule style is ''row-rule-style/none'' or ''row-rule-style/hidden''. Otherwise, the specified value.
Animation type: by computed value type
</pre>
These properties sets the thickness (lateral size) of a rule in the column and row axis, respectively.
Negative specified values are not allowed.
The [=used value=] is floored at zero (in case a 'calc()' expression evaluates to a negative value for example).
See [[#resolving-position-and-size-algo]] below for how 'auto' is resolved.
The 'column-rule-length' and 'row-rule-length' Properties {#column-rule-length}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class=propdef>
Name: column-rule-length, row-rule-length
Value: <<length-percentage>> | auto
Initial: auto
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: refer to the [=rule containing rectangle's=] size in the rule's [=longitudinal axis=]
Computed value: the specified value
Animation type: by computed value type
</pre>
These properties sets the [=rule length=] (longitudinal size) of a rule in the column and row axis, respectively.
Negative specified values are not allowed.
The [=used value=] is floored at zero (in case a 'calc()' expression evaluates to a negative value for example).
See [[#resolving-position-and-size-algo]] below for how 'auto' is resolved.
Note: These properties work the same as the '*-rule-width' properties in the [=lateral axis=], except that they have a different initial value.
The Rule Lateral Inset Properties {#column-rule-lateral-inset-start}
--------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class=propdef>
Name: column-rule-lateral-inset-start, column-rule-lateral-inset-end, row-rule-lateral-inset-start, row-rule-lateral-inset-end
Value: <<length-percentage>> | auto
Initial: auto
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: refer to the [=rule containing rectangle's=] size in the rule's [=lateral axis=]
Computed value: the specified value
Animation type: by computed value type
</pre>
These properties sets the lateral start/end offset of the rule in the column and row axis, respectively.
A positive value moves the position inward and a negative value outward from the corresponding [=rule containing rectangle's=] edge.
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/grid-lateral-002.html">example</a> demonstrates aligning a rule at the start of the gap.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-lateral-002.png">
<figcaption>
Examples of aligning a rule at the start of the gap with a lateral start offset.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/grid-lateral-003.html">example</a> demonstrates aligning a rule at the end of the gap.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-lateral-003.png">
<figcaption>
Examples of aligning a rule at the end of the gap with a lateral end offset.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
NOTE: The ''column-rule-lateral-inset'' and ''column-rule-width'' [=used values=] are calculated in a similar way to how 'left'/'right' and
'width' are <a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/CSS22/visudet.html#abs-non-replaced-width">calculated</a> for an absolutely positioned
box. The precise algorithm is described next.
Resolving a rule's position and size {#resolving-position-and-size-algo}
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Given a triplet of values: inset-start/end and a size for an axis, ''column-rule-width/auto'' values
are resolved so that the sum of the three values equals the [=rule containing rectangle=] size in
the same axis. These are the rules for resolving them:
<ol id=rule-sizing>
<li>if all the values are ''column-rule-width/auto'' then set both inset values to zero and solve for size
<li>if none of the values are ''column-rule-width/auto'' then the situation is over-constrained: solve by
treating the end inset value as ''column-rule-width/auto''
<li>if both inset properties are ''column-rule-width/auto'', but the size is not, then solve with the additional constraint
that the inset values must have equal values (resulting in the rule being centered)
<li>if the size is ''column-rule-width/auto'' and only one of the inset values is ''column-rule-width/auto'' then set the ''column-rule-width/auto'' inset value to zero
and solve for size, if that makes size negative then set the size to zero and solve for the ''column-rule-width/auto''
inset value instead (i.e. the rule is sized to fill the remaining space, until it becomes zero in
which case its positioned at the non-''column-rule-width/auto'' inset edge)
<li>if the size is ''column-rule-width/auto'' and both inset values are non-''column-rule-width/auto'' then solve for size,
if that makes the size negative then set the size to zero and solve again by
treating the end inset value as ''column-rule-width/auto''
</ol>
These rules resolves the ''column-rule-width'', ''column-rule-lateral-inset-start'', and ''column-rule-lateral-inset-end'' triplet
of values in a rule's lateral axis.
The same rules are also used to resolve ''column-rule-length'', ''column-rule-longitudinal-[edge-]inset-start'', and ''column-rule-longitudinal-[edge-]inset-end'' triplet of values in a rule's longitudinal axis (see the <a href=#column-rule-longitudinal-inset-start>longitudinal</a> property
descriptions below for which of the "edge" or non-"edge" values is used).
Ditto for the corresponding ''row-rule-*'' properties.
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/grid-lateral-001.html">example</a> demonstrates the rules above.
Note in particular the latter two grids, which shows what happens when the sum of the
insets are greater than the [=rule containing rectangle's=] size. There's still
a zero-sized column rule there, which the row rule (purple) aligns to.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-lateral-001.png">
<figcaption>
Examples of lateral rule sizing with various inset values.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
The 'column-rule-lateral-inset' and 'row-rule-lateral-inset' Shorthands {#column-rule-lateral-inset}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class='propdef shorthand'>
Name: column-rule-lateral-inset
Value: <<'column-rule-lateral-inset-start'>> <<'column-rule-lateral-inset-end'>>?
</pre>
<pre class='propdef shorthand'>
Name: row-rule-lateral-inset
Value: <<'row-rule-lateral-inset-start'>> <<'row-rule-lateral-inset-end'>>?
</pre>
These are shortands for specifying the corresponding start/end values.
If one value is specified it is used for both start and end.
The Rule Longitudinal Inset Properties {#column-rule-longitudinal-inset-start}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class=propdef>
Name: column-rule-longitudinal-inset-start, column-rule-longitudinal-inset-end, row-rule-longitudinal-inset-start, row-rule-longitudinal-inset-end
Value: <<length-percentage>> | auto
Initial: 0
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: refer to the [=rule containing rectangle's=] size in the rule's [=longitudinal axis=]
Computed value: the specified value
Animation type: by computed value type
</pre>
These properties sets the longitudinal start/end inset of the rule in the column
and row axis, respectively. They are only used on a rule's edges that are interior.
The <a href=#column-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset-start>*-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset</a>
properties are used for rule edges that are on the outer edges of an axis.
The [=used values=] are calculated the same as for the lateral properties above.
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/grid-lateral-004.html">example</a> shows the default rule alignment and size in both axes.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-lateral-004.png">
<figcaption>
Example of a rule with default rule alignment and size in both axes.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
Note: These have a different initial value than the lateral inset properties, meaning the rule will stretch to fill the [=rule containing rectangle=] in this axis. The initial values as specified above are backward compatible with how column rules are sized and positioned in legacy <a spec=css-multicol>multi-column layout</a>.
<aside class=example>
Here's a few simple <a href="examples/grid-longitudinal-001.html">examples</a> of
the rule sizing and inset properties.
Note that the grid items have ''opacity: 0.5'' to show any rules underneath them.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-longitudinal-001.png">
<figcaption>
Examples of rule sizing and inset values.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/grid-longitudinal-002.html">example</a> demonstrates
that the inset properties can be animated and that they are relative the [=rule containing rectangle=],
which itself depends on the <a href="#rule-align">rule's alignment</a> in its longitudinal axis.
Note that the longitudinal insets in this example are definite and not animated. The reason
they follow the animated lateral position of the rule in the orthogonal axis is that they have
<a href="#column-rule-align">''column-rule-align/rule'' alignment</a>.
<figure>
<video src="media/grid-longitudinal-002.webm" autoplay loop></video>
<figcaption>
Example of rule alignment and animated inset values.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
The 'column-rule-longitudinal-inset' and 'row-rule-longitudinal-inset' Shorthands {#column-rule-longitudinal-inset}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class='propdef shorthand'>
Name: column-rule-longitudinal-inset
Value: <<'column-rule-longitudinal-inset-start'>> <<'column-rule-longitudinal-inset-end'>>?
</pre>
<pre class='propdef shorthand'>
Name: row-rule-longitudinal-inset
Value: <<'row-rule-longitudinal-inset-start'>> <<'row-rule-longitudinal-inset-end'>>?
</pre>
These shortands specify the corresponding start/end values. If one value is specified it is used for both start/end.
The Rule Longitudinal Edge Inset Properties {#column-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset-start}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class=propdef>
Name: column-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset-start, column-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset-end, row-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset-start, row-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset-end
Value: <<length-percentage>> | auto
Initial: 0
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: refer to the [=rule containing rectangle's=] size in the rule's [=longitudinal axis=]
Computed value: the specified value
Animation type: by computed value type
</pre>
These properties are identical to their non-"edge" counter-parts. These properties are used
on the start edge of the first rule that on the container's start edge in its
[=longitudinal axis=], and the end edge of the last rule at the end of the container.
For interior rule edges, the <a href=#column-rule-longitudinal-inset-start>non-"edge" properties</a> are used.
In other words, these properties are used together with the <a href=#column-rule-edge-align>''*-rule-edge-align''</a>
properties (defined below) and the ''*-rule-longitudinal-inset'' properties are used together with <a href=#column-rule-align>''*-rule-align''</a>.
The 'column-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset' and 'row-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset' Shorthands {#column-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class='propdef shorthand'>
Name: column-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset
Value: <<'column-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset-start'>> <<'column-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset-end'>>?
</pre>
<pre class='propdef shorthand'>
Name: row-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset
Value: <<'row-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset-start'>> <<'row-rule-longitudinal-edge-inset-end'>>?
</pre>
These shortands specify the corresponding start/end values. If one value is specified it is used for both start/end.
Row Rule Style and Color {#row-rule-props}
===============================================
The 'row-rule-style' and 'row-rule-color' Properties {#row-rule-style}
--------------------------------------------------
<pre class=propdef>
Name: row-rule-style
Value: <<line-style>>
Initial: none
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: N/A
Computed value: specified keyword
Animation type: discrete
</pre>
<pre class=propdef>
Name: row-rule-color
Value: <<color>>
Initial: currentcolor
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: N/A
Computed value: computed color
Animation type: by computed value type
</pre>
These properties are the same as the ''column-'' properties but for the row rules.
The 'row-rule' Shorthand {#row-rule}
--------------------------------------------------
This shorthand works the same as ''column-rule''.
<pre class="propdef shorthand">
Name: row-rule
Value: <<'row-rule-width'>> || <<'row-rule-style'>> || <<'row-rule-color'>>
</pre>
ISSUE: lots of new possible shorthands... we now have many
properties (and shorthands) with a ''column-rule'' and ''row-rule'' prefix.
Should we add shorthands for some of those with a 'rule' prefix to specify
both axes, like so: 'rule-foo: <<row-rule-foo>> <<column-rule-foo>>?'.
As usual, we have to be careful with the separator though, to make it
forward-compatible with any changes we might want to make...
Rule Alignment {#rule-align}
============================
The 'column-rule-align' and 'row-rule-align' Properties {#column-rule-align}
--------------------------------------------------
<pre class=propdef>
Name: column-rule-align, row-rule-align
Value: [gap | gap-center | gap-over | rule | rule-center | rule-over]{1,2}
Initial: gap
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: N/A
Computed value: the specified value
Animation type: discrete
</pre>
These properties specify the start/end attachment point of the [=rule containing rectangle=]
in the [=longitudinal axis=]. The start value is specified first, the end value second.
If only one value is specified it is used for both start and end.
These properties are only used for interior edges. The '*-rule-edge-align' properties
described below specify the alignment on the outer edges. The initial value, ''column-rule-align/gap'',
means that, by default, a rule will stretch its longitudinal size to fill the space
from the end of the gap "above" to the start of the gap "below" ("above" meaning the gap
in the orthogonal axis on the rule's start side).
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/grid-align-001.html">example</a> illustrates a few alignment options.
Note that the row rules all have a 1px longitudinal inset
to separate the individual rule segments. (''column-rule-align/rule-center'',
for example, would otherwise look like one long rule)
Note also that the column rule is intentionally not centered in
the gap (to separate the ''row-rule-align/rule-center'' position
from the ''row-rule-align/gap-center'' position)
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-align-001.png">
<figcaption>
Example of 'row-rule-align' in a grid container.
</figcaption>
</figure>
You might be wondering if there's a bug in the bottom-right example.
Why is the ''row-rule-align-start/gap-over'' not honored there?
That's a non-interior rule edge and it's controlled separately with ''row-rule-edge-align'', see below.
</aside>
The 'column-rule-edge-align' and 'row-rule-edge-align' Properties {#column-rule-edge-align}
------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class=propdef>
Name: column-rule-edge-align, row-rule-edge-align
Value: [gap | gap-center | gap-over]{1,2}
Initial: gap
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: N/A
Computed value: the specified value
Animation type: discrete
</pre>
These properties specify the start/end attachment point of the [=rule containing rectangle=]
in the [=longitudinal axis=] for the outer edges only. That is, the start edge of the first rule
and the end edge of the last rule (which may be the same rule).
The start value is specified first, the end value second. If only one value is specified it
is used for both start and end. (Attachment points for the interior rule edges are
specified with the <a href=#column-rule-align>'*-rule-align'</a> properties above.)
Note: The ''column-rule-align/rule''/''column-rule-align/rule-center''/''column-rule-align/rule-over''
keywords are omitted here (compared with
''column-rule-align'') since there are no rules in the edge gutters.
The figure below illustrates the alignment values.
The red values are used for the top column rule's start edge and the yellow
values are used for its end edge. The yellow values are also used for the bottom
column rule's start edge. However, in this
case the roles of ''column-rule-align/gap'' / ''column-rule-align/gap-over'' and
''column-rule-align/rule'' / ''column-rule-align/rule-over'' are swapped. It's only the
center values that are shared. Also note that ''column-rule-align/gap-center''
isn't necessarily aligned with ''column-rule-align/rule-center''. In this case they aren't
aligned because the row rule (purple) is using a lateral start inset. The cyan colored
values are used for the bottom column border's end edge. (If the top border were to
stretch over the entire grid, then they would be used for its end edge.)
''column-rule-edge-align'' controls which of the red and cyan colored
attachment points should be used. ''column-rule-edge-align'' the yellow colored
ones (and all other interior edges if there were more rows).
<figure>
<img src="media/rule-alignment-values.png">
<figcaption>
Illustration of rule alignment values.
</figcaption>
</figure>
Here's the rule styling used for the above example:
```css
column-rule: 14px solid blue;
column-rule-align: rule-center rule;
column-rule-edge-align: gap-center gap-over;
row-rule: 16px solid #7000ff;
row-rule-lateral-inset-start: 30px;
```
The alignment points follow the same pattern in the other axis for the row rules.
In this case the row rule is using the initial values (''column-rule-align/gap'')
so they align with the inline axis gap edges.
ISSUE: Are there use cases for other box-related edge attachment points?
e.g. 'padding | padding-center | padding-over | border...'
Rule Extent {#rule-extent}
==============================
The 'column-rule-extent' and 'row-rule-extent' Properties {#column-rule-extent}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<pre class=propdef>
Name: column-rule-extent, row-rule-extent
Value: [segment | start | end | short | long | all-start | all-end | all-short | all-long ] allow-overlap?
Initial: long
Applies to: <a>multi-column containers</a>, <a>flex containers</a>, <a>grid containers</a>, <a spec=css-tables>table</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> containers
Inherited: no
Percentages: N/A
Computed value: the specified value
Animation type: discrete
</pre>
ISSUE: perhaps make ''all'' a separate keyword? like so: ''[segment | [[start | end | short | long] all?] ] allow-overlap?''
These properties specify the extent of the rule in its [=longitudinal axis=].
<dfn>segment</dfn> is an abstract term to describe the distance between two consecutive gaps.
An extent can cover one or more segments and the <dfn>extent size</dfn> is the distance between
the start position of the first of those segments and the end position of the last segment.
We'll define ''column-rule-extent/segment'' in more detail in the container-specific sub-sections that follow.
The ''column-rule-extent/allow-overlap'' only affects rules in grid and table layout with spanning items/cells.
It controls whether a rule should continue through such a span.
that are considered when determining if an item is spanning or not, not its layout position or size.
The ''column-rule-extent/all-*'' values makes a rule extend over all segments in an axis,
subject to not being interrupted by a span. In grid and table layout, where the tracks/table groups/rows
all have the same length in a rule's longitudinal axis, all the ''column-rule-extent/all-*'' have
the same behavior. They are intended for flexbox and masonry layout, where the gaps may fall at different
positions in adjacent flex lines and masonry tracks.
The lateral position of a rule is determined by its first segment.
The following sub-sections will describe the rule extent for each type of layout container in more detail.
### Grid Containers ### {#rule-extent-grid}
In a [=grid container=], gaps are placed between tracks, so the ''column-rule-extent/segment''
value maps to the extent of a [=grid cell=].
This <a href="examples/grid-segment-001.html">example</a> illustrates ''column-rule-extent/segment'' rules.
Note that rules are generated in all gaps, whether there are items in a grid cell or not.
<aside class=example>
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-segment-001.png">
<figcaption>
Example of column and row rules with ''column-rule-extent/segment'' extent in a grid container.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
[=Collapsed tracks=] don't count -- they don't generate gaps and thus don't have gap rules.
They generally behave as if they don't exist as far as rules are concerned.
The <a href="examples/grid-segment-002.html">example</a> below also
illustrates that the position and size of the items don't affect the rules; it's only the position and size
of the [=grid cells=] that count.
<aside class=example>
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-segment-002.png">
<figcaption>
Example of column and row rules with in a grid container with [=collapsed tracks=].
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
Rules behave symmetrically in the grid axes, but a [=masonry axis=] in a
differently; we'll cover that case in a separate <a href=#rule-extent-masonry>section</a> later.
In a grid axis, rules are created between adjacent (non-collapsed) tracks and their [=extent sizes=]
are controlled by the ''column-rule-extent''/''row-rule-extent'' values as follows:
<dl dfn-for=row-rule-extent dfn-type=value>
<dt><dfn>segment</dfn></dt>
<dd>the [=extent size=] is the size of [=grid cell=] in the relevant axis
<dt><dfn>start</dfn></dt>
<dd>the [=extent size=] is the size of the [=next grid cell span=] in the start-most of the two adjacent tracks
<dt><dfn>end</dfn></dt>
<dd>the [=extent size=] is the size of the [=next grid cell span=] in the end-most of the two adjacent tracks
<dt><dfn>short</dfn></dt>
<dd>the [=extent size=] is the smaller of the [=next grid cell span=] sizes of the two adjacent tracks
<dt><dfn>long</dfn></dt>
<dd>the [=extent size=] is the larger of the [=next grid cell span=] sizes of the two adjacent tracks
<dt><dfn>all-start</dfn>, <dfn>all-end</dfn>, <dfn>all-short</dfn>, <dfn>all-long</dfn></dt>
<dd>the [=extent size=] is the length of the track in the relevant axis
(they all behave the same because all tracks in a [=grid=] axis have the same size)
<dt><dfn>allow-overlap</dfn></dt>
<dd>controls whether the [=next grid cell span=] stops short of a cell which has an item spanning
over the gap (see the <a href="#rule-extent-grid-algorithm">algorithm</a> below)
</dl>
The following algorithm determines the rule segments to create in an axis and their [=extent sizes=].
For each pair of adjacent tracks, we first find the <dfn>next grid cell span</dfn> for
each track. Then select one of those per the property values above.
For each pair of adjacent tracks, start by setting each track's <var>current cell</var> to
be its first cell in the [=implicit grid=], then:
<ol id="rule-extent-grid-algorithm">
<li>if ''column-rule-extent/allow-overlap'' was not specified, and the <var>current cell</var> in
the start-most of the pair of tracks contains an item that spans into the end-most of the tracks,
then skip this cell and let the <var>current cell</var> of each track be the cell after it,
then go to step 1 or exit if there are no more cells
<li>if the ''*-rule-extent'' is one of the ''column-rule-extent/all-*'' values,
then the [=next grid cell span=] is the span of cells from the <var>current cell</var> to
last cell in the track (inclusive); if ''column-rule-extent/allow-overlap'' was not specified,
then stop before the first (opposite axis) track that contains an item spanning between this
pair of tracks
<li>otherwise, if the <var>current cell</var> is empty, or ''*-rule-extent'' is ''column-rule-extent/segment'',
then the [=next grid cell span=] of that track is the <var>current cell</var>
<li>otherwise, if the <var>current cell</var> contains items that are spanning in the same axis,
then that track's [=next grid cell span=] is the longest of those spans;
if ''column-rule-extent/allow-overlap'' was not specified, then stop before
the first (opposite axis) track that contains an item spanning between this pair of tracks
<li>create a rule segment with the following [=extent size=]:
<ol type="lower-alpha">
<li>for ''column-rule-extent/short''(''column-rule-extent/long''),
the [=extent size=] is the length of the shortest(longest) of
the two [=next grid cell spans=]
<li>for ''column-rule-extent/start''(''column-rule-extent/end''),
the [=extent size=] is the length of the [=next grid cell span=]
of the start-most(end-most) track
<li>for ''column-rule-extent/all-*'',
the [=extent size=] is the length of the [=next grid cell span=]
(which is always the same for the two tracks)
</ol>
<li>set the <var>current cell</var> to the next cell, in each track, that is after the last cell
of the [=next grid cell span=] that we picked in the steps above; exit if there are no more cells;
otherwise, go to step 1.
</ol>
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/grid-extent-001.html">example</a> demonstrates the difference between
the ''row-rule-extent'' values in a grid with spanning items. The grid has seven columns.
The grid items are semi-transparent to show any rules or overlapping items under them.
Item 7 for example has ''grid-column: 2 / span 3'' and item 3 has ''grid-row: 1 / span 2''.
They are both forced to span into the cell in row 2, column 4 to illustrate what happens
when items span like this.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-extent-001.png">
<figcaption>
Examples of ''row-rule-extent'' in a grid container.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
#### Subgrid #### {#rule-extent-subgrid}
A subgrid creates its own set of gap rules. It uses its own gaps, which are centered with, but
may have a different size than the ancestor grid(s), as described in
Other than that, rules are created inside a subgrid in the same way as in a regular grid.
A grid item that is a subgrid affects its parent grid's rule formation exactly as
a regular non-subgrid item would (whether the parent is also a subgrid or not),
i.e. its span (if any) affects the <a href="#rule-extent-grid-algorithm">algorithm</a>
above in the same way.
''column-rule-extent/allow-overlap'' can be used in the parent to extend its rules under
the subgrid. The subgrid's rules, if any, are rendered by the subgrid and thus render
on top of the parent, as usual.
When the subgrid determines its rule extents, it does not consider any items that
aren't its own grid items, i.e. any items in an ancestor grid that have been placed into
the same grid cell that the subgrid occupies are not considered. Furthermore, it only uses
its own local gap and rule metrics for positioning and sizing its rules. It doesn't
consider any gaps or rules that originate outside of the subgrid.
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/grid-subgrid-001.html">example</a> illustrates that
a subgrid uses its own local gap and rule metrics for positioning and sizing
its rules. It also shows what happens when a parent rule crosses a subgrid item.
Note that the parent's column rule passing through the subgrid is not used for
the ''row-rule-align: rule'' in the subgrid. The subgrid is in fact completely
unaware of any parent rules.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-subgrid-001.png">
<figcaption>
Example of gap rules in a subgrid.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
#### Masonry #### {#rule-extent-masonry}
Masonry layout has one grid axis (which may be [=subgridded=]) and one [=masonry axis=].
The grid axis works the same as has been described above. The masonry axis is special
since an item is placed into a grid track based on the layout size of the items before
it, so they are typically not aligned over the tracks. Furthermore,
the grid tracks may have a different start position
(due to [=masonry axis=] <a href="https://drafts.csswg.org/css-grid-3/#tracks-alignment">alignment</a>)
and size.
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/grid-masonry-001.html">example</a> illustrates a few
variations of rules in a masonry grid layout. All the grids have
''column-rule-edge-align: gap-over'' to extend the edge rules out to
the content-box edge.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-masonry-001.png">
<figcaption>
Example of gap rules in a masonry grid.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/grid-masonry-002.html">example</a> illustrates
some of the ''column-rule-extent: all-*'' values.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-masonry-002.png">
<figcaption>
Example of gap rules in a masonry grid.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
ISSUE: TODO: add definition list and algorithm here...
ISSUE: is it useful to be able to create a rule extent for the <i>intersection</i> or <i>union</i> between two tracks, like so: <img style="display:block" src="media/masonry-all-shorter.png">It's pretty easy to implement, fwiw... (I accidently implemented ''column-rule-extent/short''/''column-rule-extent/long'' like that before I realized it was inconsistent with how they work elsewhere). I think it's a case that is unique to a masonry axis though, at least <i>currently</i>...
### Flex Containers ### {#rule-extent-flexbox}
In a <a href="https://drafts.csswg.org/css-flexbox/#valdef-flex-direction-row">row-oriented flex container</a>,
the ''row-rule-*'' properties creates rules between flex lines,
and the ''column-rule-*'' properties creates rules between <a href=css-flexbox>flex items</a>
within a <a href=cs-flexbox>flex line</a>.
In <a href="https://drafts.csswg.org/css-flexbox/#valdef-flex-direction-row">column-oriented flex container</a>,
the roles of ''row-rule-extent'' and ''column-rule-extent'' are swapped. For the rest of this sub-section we
will describe the row-oriented case (just swap column/row in the text below to get the column-oriented case).
Flex items can't span multiple lines so there are no collisions possible for the main axis rules,
hence the ''column-rule-extent/allow-overlap'' keyword is ignored in flex layout in the main axis.
A subsequent flex line is considered as a collision for the cross axis rules, i.e. a cross axis rule
has the extent of one flex line, unless ''column-rule-extent/allow-overlap'' is used (together with
one the ''column-rule-extent/all-*'' values). The reason is that items in different lines
typically don't line up in a way that the gaps between items are aligned across the lines
(unless an author is very careful to arrange that), so this is to have a safe default behavior.
''column-rule-extent/all-long allow-overlap'' can be used to override that and
the [=extent size=] is then from the cross axis start edge of the first flex line
to the cross axis end edge of the last flex line (all the ''all-*'' behave the same).
Only the first flex line creates column rules in this case,
and the rule's lateral position is taken from the gap in the first line.
Advisement: Authors are advised to <strong>not</strong> use the ''column-rule-extent/allow-overlap'' value in
the main axis of a multi-line flex container since it's likely to make items
on subsequent lines overlap the rules. It may be used when all flex items are
guaranteed to have the exact same main axis [=outer size=] and align such that
the gaps are aligned between all the lines.
Rules are created between adjacent flex lines, and their [=extent sizes=] are controlled by
the ''row-rule-extent'' values defined as follows:
<dl dfn-for=row-rule-extent dfn-type=value>
<dt>segment</dt>
<dd>behaves as ''row-rule-extent/short''
<dt>start</dt>
<dd>use the [=outer size=] of the items in the flex line on the block axis start side
<dt>end</dt>
<dd>use the [=outer size=] of the items in the flex line on the block axis end side
<dt>short</dt>
<dd>use the [=outer size=] of the [=next flex line item=] which has the smaller size (see detailed algorithm below)
<dt>long</dt>
<dd>use the [=outer size=] of the [=next flex line item=] which has the larger size (see detailed algorithm below)
<dt>all-start</dt>
<dd>the distance between the start position of the first item to the end position of the last item on the start side flex line
<dt>all-end</dt>
<dd>the distance between the start position of the first item to the end position of the last item on the end side flex line
<dt>all-short</dt>
<dd>the distance between the end-most start position of the first item on each flex line to the start-most end position of the last item on each flex line
<dt>all-long</dt>
<dd>the distance between the start-most start position of the first item on each flex line to the end-most end position of the last item on each flex line
<dt>allow-overlap</dt>
<dd>is ignored in this axis since flex items can't span between flex lines so there are no collisions (as defined in this spec)
</dl>
The <dfn>next flex line item</dfn> is assigned by the following algorithm.
For each pair of adjacent flex lines, start with assigning the [=next flex line item=] to
the first item (in [=order-modified document order=]) on the respective line, then:
<ol id="rule-extent-flexbox-algorithm" start=0>
<li>exit if neither line has a [=next flex line item=]
<li>
<ol type="lower-alpha">
<li>if only one line has a [=next flex line item=] then pick that item and go to 2
<li>if either of the two [=next flex line items=] has a start position that is
beyond the other item's end position, then pick the start-most item and go to 2.
<li>otherwise, pick the item with the smallest(largest) [=outer size=]
for ''row-rule-extent/short''(''row-rule-extent/long'')
</ol>
<li>use the picked item's [=outer size=] as this rule segment's [=extent size=], then change
the [=next flex line item=] for the picked item's line to the next item on its line
<li>assign the [=next flex line item=] for the other line to the next item on this line
that has an inline start position that is greater than the end position of the picked item
</ol>
(start/end position and sizes above are referring to the item's margin-box in
the rule's longitudinal axis; the phrase "next item" refers to the next item
in [=order-modified document order=])
<aside class=example>
Here are a few examples to illustrate the ''row-rule-extent'' values.
<figure>
<img src="media/flexbox-extent-start-001.png">
<figcaption>
A ''row-rule-extent: start'' <a href="examples/flexbox-extent-start-001.html">example</a>.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="media/flexbox-extent-end-001.png">
<figcaption>
A ''row-rule-extent: end'' <a href="examples/flexbox-extent-end-001.html">example</a>.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="media/flexbox-extent-long-001.png">
<figcaption>
A ''row-rule-extent: long'' <a href="examples/flexbox-extent-long-001.html">example</a>.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="media/flexbox-extent-all-short-001.png">
<figcaption>
A ''row-rule-extent: all-short'' <a href="examples/flexbox-extent-all-short-001.html">example</a>.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="media/flexbox-extent-all-long-001.png">
<figcaption>
A ''row-rule-extent: all-long'' <a href="examples/flexbox-extent-all-long-001.html">example</a>.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
<aside class=example>
This is an <a href="examples/flexbox-extent-all-long-allow-overlap-001.html">example</a> to illustrate
what happens when an ''column-rule-extent: all-long allow-overlap'' rule is
used and the gaps aren't aligned. (The flex items are semi-transparent
to show the column rules underneath).
<figure>
<img src="media/flexbox-extent-all-long-allow-overlap-001.png">
<figcaption>
A ''column-rule-extent: all-long allow-overlap'' example.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
### Table Containers ### {#rule-extent-table}
A <a spec=css-tables>table</a> container creates rules between its
<a spec=css-tables>table-column-groups</a> and <a spec=css-tables>table-row-groups</a>.
column-groups and row-groups are treated as if they don't exist.
Column rules (between <a spec=css-tables>table-column-groups</a>) collide with <a spec=css-tables>table-row-groups</a>.
Row rules (between <a spec=css-tables>table-row-groups</a>) collide with <a spec=css-tables>table-column-groups</a>.
The ''column-rule-extent/allow-overlap'' can be used to create rules that extend over
the entire column/row length. Given that all <a spec=css-tables>table-column-groups</a> have the same block
axis size and all <a spec=css-tables>table-row-groups</a> have same the inline axis size,
the ''column-rule-extent/short''/''column-rule-extent/long''/''column-rule-extent/start''/''column-rule-extent/end''
keywords behave the same. Ditto for the ''column-rule-extent/all-*'' keywords.
<aside class=example>
Note, column 2 is collapsed in this example.
<figure>
<img src="media/table-rules-001.png">
<figcaption>
An <a href="examples/table-rules-001.html">example</a> of table rules.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
ISSUE: sort out if non-collapsed column-groups that only contain collapsed columns should generate rules, ditto row-groups/rows
### Table Row Group Containers ### {#rule-extent-table-row-group}
A <a spec=css-tables>table-row-group</a> container creates rules between its <a spec=css-tables>table-rows</a> and between each
<a spec=css-tables>table-cell</a> in a row. Collapsed <a spec=css-tables>table-rows</a> are treated as if they don't exist.
Collapsed <a spec=css-tables>table-columns</a> are treated as if they don't exist.
Row rules (between <a spec=css-tables>table-rows</a>) collide with cells that have
a row <a spec=css-tables>span</a> crossing it.
Column rules (between <a spec=css-tables>table-cells</a>) collide with cells that have
a column <a spec=css-tables>span</a> crossing it.
''column-rule-extent/allow-overlap'' can be used to create rules that
extend over such spanning cells.
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/table-row-group-rules-001.html">example</a> illustrates rules between
table rows and cells. And also what happens when the table rules from
the last example is also applied.
<figure>
<img src="media/table-row-group-rules-001.png">
<figcaption>
Example of table row and cell rules.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
''visibility:collapse'' on <a>table-cells</a> does not affect the rules in any way.
### Multi-Column Containers ### {#rule-extent-multicol}
<a>Multi-column containers</a> already support rendering column rules between their columns.
That's now extended with all the new features described above. The changes described
above are backwards-compatible with existing web content that use <i>valid</i> ''column-rule''
style values. Some previously <i>invalid</i> ''column-rule'' values are now <i>valid</i>
though, which could cause problems. For example, ''column-rule-width: 100%'', which
previously would not parse, will now start doing something.
The ''row-rule-*'' properties apply to <a>multi-column containers</a>, and create
row rules between <a href="https://drafts.csswg.org/css-multicol-1/#multi-column-line">multicol lines</a> and <a>spanners</a>,
separating them in the block axis.
The [=segments=] are the columns and the ''margin-box'' of <a>spanners</a>.
ISSUE: this proposal makes the assumption that the related proposal that
''row-gap'' should apply to multi-column containers is also adopted
<aside class=example>
This <a href="examples/multicol-row-rule-001.html">example</a> illustrates rules in
a multi-column container.
<figure>
<img src="media/multicol-row-rule-001.png">
<figcaption>
Example of column and row rules in a multi-column.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
<aside class=example>
If <a>multi-column containers</a> add support for
'column-span: <<integer>>' some time in the future,
this is how row rules will work:
<figure>
<img src="media/multicol-colspan-2.png">
<figcaption>
Example of ''column-span: 2'' in a multi-column with column and row rules.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
The Rule Containing Rectangle {#rule-containing-rectangle}
==========================================================
The <dfn>rule containing rectangle</dfn> is formed by the <a href="#rule-extent">rule extent</a>
and <a href="#rule-align">alignment</a> in the [=longitudinal axis=], and by the size of the
(For clarity, the size of the gutter is calculated from the <a href="https://drafts.csswg.org/css-align/#gaps">gap</a>
properties plus any extra space contributed by <a href="https://drafts.csswg.org/css-align/#distribution-values">alignment distribution</a>
but does not include any item margins.)
It is important to note that the [=rule containing rectangle's=] size in an axis isn't affected by any of
the <a href="#column-rule-lateral-inset">inset properties</a> <i>in the same axis</i> as that would lead to a circular
dependency when resolving inset percentage values. (The [=rule containing rectangle=] is the percentage basis
for all the rule properties which take percentage values.) However, a rule that uses
''column-rule-align: rule | rule-center | rule-over'' is affected by the <a href="#column-rule-lateral-inset">lateral inset properties</a>
of the rule it aligns to in the <i>opposite axis</i>.
Here's an illustration of the [=rule containing rectangle=] (the dashed green rectangle) for the top blue rule.
This is a 2x2 grid using the default extent, so the [=extent size=] is the row's block size.
It has the following non-default rule properties:
```css
column-rule: 14px solid blue;
column-rule-align: rule;
column-rule-edge-align: gap-center;
column-rule-longitudinal-inset-end: 8px;
row-rule: 6px solid black;
row-rule-lateral-inset-start: 20px;
```
<figure>
<img src="media/rule-containing-rectangle.png">
<figcaption>
The Rule Containing Rectangle
</figcaption>
</figure>
Note that the [=rule containing rectangle=] extends to the start of the black horizontal rule, which has a ''row-rule-lateral-inset-start/20px''
lateral inset (making it non-centered). We align to its start with ''column-rule-align: rule''. From there,
we move the bottom edge of the blue rule up by ''column-rule-longitudinal-inset-end/8px'' with ''column-rule-longitudinal-inset-end: 8px''.
The default ''column-rule-length: auto'' then fills the resulting area. If we were to use
''column-rule-length: 100%'' here instead, then the rule would fill the [=rule containing rectangle=]
vertically, since that's its percentage basis. (The end inset would then be ignored since the start inset
is zero by default so the situation is over-constrained, and we resolve by ignoring the end inset, per the
<a href=#rule-sizing>sizing rules</a>.)
Rule Painting Order {#rule-painting-order}
==========================================
Column and row rules are painted in the same layer as the element's border.
They are painted after (on top of) the element's border.
All column rules for an element are painted first, then all of its row rules.
The rules for an axis are painted in the order they were generated by
the <a href="#rule-extent">rule extent</a> algorithms described above.
Typically from the logical start to the end of the axis.
For table layout, all the <a spec=css-tables>table</a> rules (in both axes)
are painted before the rules for the row-groups. The painting order between
specifies. For an individual row-group, the rules are painted in logical
start to end order in both axes.
Again, note that for a specific fragment,
<strong>all the column rules are painted before all the row rules</strong>,
the above merely tries to clarify the painting order of the rules for
a specific axis.
Rule Overflow {#rule-overflow}
==============================
The column and row rule areas contributes to a fragment's [=ink overflow=].
Note that they can overflow an fragment's border-box due to negative inset
values etc.
<aside class=example>
Here's an <a href="examples/grid-longitudinal-003.html">example</a> showing
rules that overflow their container and how they are clipped.
Both grids have large negative insets to extend the rules outside of the container.
The right grid has ''overflow: hidden'' which clips its rules at the padding area edge.
<figure>
<img src="media/grid-longitudinal-003.png">
<figcaption>
Examples of rule overflow and clipping.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</aside>
For clarity, none of the properties in this spec affects layout in any way.
Column and row rules are purely a painting effect.