Layout Tips
Best practices for creating effective grid layouts with Group in Pluslide. Learn sizing strategies, nesting patterns, and how to handle dynamic content.
When using Group for grid layouts, following these best practices will help you create templates that handle dynamic content gracefully.
1. Start Simple
Begin with a basic 2-column layout before attempting complex grids:
Good first attempt:
- 2 columns, 1 row
- Both columns set to "Fill container"
Then iterate from there.Starting simple helps you understand how your content flows before adding complexity.
2. Use "Hug content" for Content-Driven Widths
When one element should be "just big enough" to fit its content, set that column to Hug content:
Icon + Text:
- Column 1: Hug content (icon fits exactly)
- Column 2: Fill container (text takes remaining space)
Avatar + Name:
- Column 1: Fixed 40px (consistent avatar size)
- Column 2: Fill container (name takes remaining space)Hug content ensures the column shrinks to exactly fit its content, giving the remaining space to Fill container columns.
3. Use "Fill container" for Flexibility
When elements should share space proportionally, set columns to Fill container:
Three equal columns:
- All three columns: Fill container
- Result: Each column takes 1/3 of the space
Sidebar + Main content:
- Column 1: Fixed 200px (sidebar)
- Column 2: Fill container (main content takes remaining space)Fill container columns share remaining space equally, handling varying content lengths gracefully.
4. Test with Varying Content
Always test your Group with:
- Shortest expected content - Does the layout still look balanced?
- Longest expected content - Does text wrap appropriately? Do elements overlap?
- Missing optional content - How do empty fields affect the layout?
Testing edge cases during design prevents surprises in production.
5. Use Gap for Consistent Spacing
Instead of adding margins to each child element, set gap on the Group:
Good: Group with gap: 16
Bad: Each child with margin: 8 on each sideBenefits of using gap:
- Consistent spacing throughout the grid
- No "double margin" issues at edges
- Easier to adjust spacing globally
- Cleaner, more maintainable templates
Naming Conventions
Best practices for naming templates and fields in Pluslide to create self-documenting APIs. Learn field key patterns and template naming strategies.
List Tips
Best practices for designing List fields in Pluslide. Learn overflow handling, responsive design patterns, and child template configuration for dynamic arrays.