How do I truncate names and bios in Webflow CMS to maintain grid size without wrapping or shrinking the text?
- Use CSS text truncation with ellipses by setting overflow hidden, no wrap, and text overflow ellipsis on CMS text elements.
- Set fixed max widths or manually limit character count in CMS to maintain uniform grid alignment.
- Apply custom CSS via Embed for multi-line truncation using -webkit-line-clamp.
- Ensure consistent grid layout by setting fixed or min heights and avoiding shrink settings in Flexbox.
To maintain a consistent grid layout in Webflow CMS and avoid text wrapping or shrinking, you'll need to truncate long names or bios using CSS techniques and Webflow's styling options.
1. Limit Text with CSS Truncation
Apply text truncation styles to prevent overflow and add ellipsis.
- Select the CMS text element (e.g., Name or Bio).
- In the Style panel, set the following:
- Display: Set to
BlockorFlex. - Overflow:
Hidden - White Space:
No Wrap - Text Overflow:
Ellipsis
This will cut off overflowing text in a single line and add … at the end.
2. Set a Max Width or Character Limit
Control the content or container size so everything aligns in your grid:
- Max Width: Set a fixed width (e.g.,
200px) using the Style panel to ensure uniformity across all items. - Character Limit (via CMS):
- Webflow doesn't support native character limits in CMS fields.
- To manage the content manually, you can:
- Limit text length when entering CMS content.
- Use shorter versions in the CMS and store the full version in a separate hidden field if necessary.
3. Truncate Multi-Line Bios with Custom Code
To truncate multi-line text like a two-line bio with ellipsis:
- Use Webflow’s Embed element only if necessary, and within it, apply a stylesheet that limits content to a specific number of lines using this style:
- Use
display: -webkit-box; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; overflow: hidden;
Note: Multi-line truncation like this may require custom CSS via an Embed or a global <style> block.
4. Avoid Shrinking or Wrapping in the Grid
To make sure the layout doesn’t break:
- Set min height and fixed sizing on grid items.
- Avoid using “Shrink if needed” settings in Flexbox if you’re using that layout.
- Align content vertically or horizontally using Flex settings that match your design needs.
Summary
To truncate names and bios while keeping a clean grid in Webflow CMS: use ellipsis styling, limit container width, apply custom CSS for multi-line truncation if needed, and enforce consistent height and alignment in your grid layout.