That's Just How I Scroll

How can you tell if a webpage (or a specific element) is scrollable? The presence of a scrollbar is a clear indicator. While debates about "above the fold" content persist, the function and meaning of a scrollbar are generally understood.

However, scrollbars are often hidden. macOS, for example, conceals them unless actively scrolling. Mobile browsers frequently lack visible scrollbars, even when overflow: scroll; is applied.

This is significant because an undetected scrollable area can obscure crucial content or functionality.

Consider Tyler Hall's "Perfectly Cropped" anecdote. An iOS screen with essential features required scrolling, yet provided no visual cue indicating this. The consequence? Tyler's mother couldn't locate familiar functionality—a significant usability failure.

While methods exist to detect and force visible scrollbars, they have drawbacks. They might override user preferences, demand DOM manipulation, and rely on potentially obsolete vendor-prefixed CSS.

Chris Smith's approach offers a superior alternative:

Shadow-based techniques are particularly effective. An inset shadow clearly suggests underlying content, with the shadow itself acting as a visual cue for scroll direction. This CSS-only method offers excellent control and adaptability to various UI contexts. It's a clever CSS trick that avoids JavaScript entirely.

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