---
id: 672bca660aa9f9ce9b2b2787
title: What Are Common Issues When Styling Special Input Elements?
challengeType: 19
dashedName: what-are-common-issues-when-styling-special-input-elements
---

# --interactive--

Let's learn about some of the common issues when trying to style special input elements like the `datetime-local` and `color` inputs.

These special types of inputs rely on complex pseudo-elements to create things like the date and color pickers. This presents a significant challenge for styling these inputs. One challenge is that, because the default styling depends entirely on the browser, CSS that makes the picker look right in one browser may produce a very different result in another.

Here is an example of a color input:

:::interactive_editor

```html
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">

<form>
  <label for="favorite-color">Pick your favorite color:</label>
  <input type="color" id="favorite-color" name="favorite-color">
</form>
```

```css
input {
  padding: 8px 12px;
  margin: 8px 0;
  border-radius: 6px;
  border: 1px solid #ccc;
}

input[type="color"] {
  width: 60px;
  height: 40px;
  padding: 0;
  border: 2px solid #555;
  border-radius: 4px;
  cursor: pointer;
}

```

:::

Another may be the complexity of the pseudo-element. Consider the date selector; there are a lot of moving parts here and the complex structure of the pseudo-element might pose a significant challenge in applying styling to the right areas.

Here is an example of a date input:

:::interactive_editor

```html
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">

<form>
  <label for="birthdate">Select your birthdate:</label>
  <input type="date" id="birthdate" name="birthdate">
</form>
```

```css
input {
  padding: 8px 12px;
  margin: 8px 0;
  border-radius: 6px;
  border: 1px solid #ccc;
}

input[type="date"] {
  padding: 6px 10px;
  border: 2px solid #555;
  border-radius: 4px;
  font-size: 14px;
  cursor: pointer;
}

input[type="date"]::-webkit-calendar-picker-indicator {
  background-color: #4CAF50;
  color: white;
  border-radius: 4px;
  cursor: pointer;
}

```

:::

Of course, with these complex elements, you also run the risk of accidentally losing important functionality when you manually style them. Not only could you lose important indicators like the focus state or selected item but you could potentially break the selector entirely.  

For these reasons many developers rely on JavaScript libraries or custom components entirely instead of using the browser's built-in components.

# --questions--

## --text--

What is one of the main challenges in styling special input elements like `datetime-local` and `color`?

## --answers--

These elements are not supported in all browsers.

### --feedback--

The lesson mentions a specific aspect of these elements that makes styling difficult.

---

They rely on complex pseudo elements for their functionality.

---

They require additional JavaScript to function properly.

### --feedback--

The lesson mentions a specific aspect of these elements that makes styling difficult.

---

They cannot be styled using CSS at all.

### --feedback--

The lesson mentions a specific aspect of these elements that makes styling difficult.

## --video-solution--

2

## --text--

Why might CSS written to style a special input element work differently across browsers?

## --answers--

Different browsers use different JavaScript engines.

### --feedback--

The lesson points out a specific reason for inconsistent styling across browsers.

---

The default styling is browser-dependent.

---

Some browsers don't support these input types.

### --feedback--

The lesson points out a specific reason for inconsistent styling across browsers.

---

CSS properties work differently in each browser.

### --feedback--

The lesson points out a specific reason for inconsistent styling across browsers.

## --video-solution--

2

## --text--

What approach do many developers take to address the challenges of styling complex input elements?

## --answers--

They avoid using these input types altogether.

### --feedback--

The lesson mentions a common solution that developers often resort to.

---

They use browser-specific CSS prefixes.

### --feedback--

The lesson mentions a common solution that developers often resort to.

---

They rely on JavaScript libraries or custom components.

---

They use only inline styles for these elements.

### --feedback--

The lesson mentions a common solution that developers often resort to.

## --video-solution--

3
