What Does the \'initial\' Value Really Do in CSS?

Understanding the Role of 'Initial' Value in CSS

In the realm of web development, CSS plays a vital role in styling the appearance of web elements. Among its many properties, the 'initial' value has generated some confusion. Let's delve into its true nature and its implications in practice.

Originally, it was assumed that the 'initial' value would restore the default styles applied by the browser's internal stylesheet. However, this understanding is incorrect. The 'initial' value refers to the specific initial value defined for each CSS property in the official CSS specifications.

Initial Value vs. Browser Default

Consider the following example:

div.inline {
  display: inline;
}

div.initial {
  display: initial;
}

Intuitively, one might expect the div with class "initial" to display as a block element, adhering to the browser's default behavior for divs. However, this is not the case. When the 'initial' value is applied to the display property, it overrides the browser's default. Since the initial value of display is 'inline,' all divs with class "initial" will display inline.

Limited Usefulness of 'Initial' Value

The 'initial' value is of limited practical utility. Its primary purpose seems to be to reinstate the property to its original, CSS-defined value. This can be useful in certain scenarios:

• Color Property: The initial value of color is browser-dependent, typically black. By setting the color property to 'initial,' you can restore the browser's default color.
• Font-family Property: Similarly, setting font-family to 'initial' will use the browser's default font, based on user preferences and the browser's settings.

Lack of Support in IE

It's important to note that the 'initial' value is not supported by all browsers, including Internet Explorer up to version 10. This further limits its usefulness in cross-browser development.

In conclusion, the 'initial' value in CSS represents the property's initial value as defined in the CSS specifications, not the browser's default. Its limited utility and lack of support in certain browsers should be considered when making styling decisions.

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