Why Use an Asterisk (*) Before a CSS Property?

CSS: Why Use an Asterisk Before a Property?

In the context of CSS, an asterisk (*) prefixed to a property name holds a specific significance. This technique, known as a "browser hack" or "IE hack," is employed to target Internet Explorer 7 or earlier versions.

Specifically, the syntax property: value instructs IE to apply the specified property and value only within its environment. This allows developers to apply specific styles to IE without affecting other browsers that follow CSS standards.

Internet Explorer's unique handling of non-alphanumeric prefixes, such as the asterisk, results in these styles being applied exclusively in IE. Unlike methods using underscores or hyphens, the asterisk is not recognized by the CSS specification, so its use may lead to unexpected behavior as CSS evolves.

Therefore, the asterisk (*) before a CSS property serves as a browser-specific hack, enabling developers to apply specific styles exclusively in Internet Explorer 7 or earlier versions. However, due to its non-standard nature, its use should be approached cautiously to avoid potential compatibility issues.

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