Why Does IE7 Misinterpret the `inline-block` CSS Property, and How Can It Be Fixed?

IE7's Misinterpretation of inline-block: A Troubleshooting Guide

Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) presents a unique challenge when it comes to CSS display properties. One such instance is its inability to correctly interpret the inline-block property.

The Code in Question

Consider the following HTML and CSS code:

<div class="frame-header">
    <h2>...</h2>
</div>

.frame-header {
    height:25px;
    display:inline-block;   
}

IE7's Misbehavior

For some reason, IE7 fails to apply the inline-block styling, causing the desired layout to be compromised.

The IE7 Hack

To overcome this issue, a custom CSS hack is required for IE7:

.frame-header {
    display: inline-block;
    *display: inline;
    zoom: 1;
}

By default, IE7 recognizes inline-block only for inherently inline elements. This hack circumvents that limitation.

• display: inline: Overwrites display: inline-block, ensuring compatibility with IE7.
• zoom: 1: Triggers hasLayout behavior, essential for achieving inline-block functionality.
• Star Property Hack: Limits the application of display: inline to IE7 and earlier browsers.

Conditional Stylesheets

To ensure optimal performance and validation, it is advisable to use conditional stylesheets to target IE7 specifically:

<!--[if IE 7]>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="ie7.css" type="text/css" />
<![endif]-->

In the "ie7.css" file, you can include the custom CSS hack to address IE7 rendering issues. This approach minimizes code complexity and maintains a higher level of validation.

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