Why am I unable to edit the class in Webflow when I receive the message "The value is overridden by more specific selector"?

When you see the message "The value is overridden by a more specific selector" in Webflow, it means the styling you’re trying to edit is being controlled elsewhere by a more targeted rule.

1. Understand What "More Specific Selector" Means

• A more specific selector applies styles more precisely than the one you are trying to edit. Examples include:
• A combo class (e.g., Button + Primary).
• A nested selector (e.g., .navbar a).
• A style applied directly to an element with a combo or state (e.g., hover, focus).
• Webflow prevents overwriting these specific styles from a less specific selector to maintain the CSS cascade integrity.

2. Identify Where the Style is Set

• Check if a Combo Class Exists: Select the element and look at the top of the Style panel. If you see multiple classes joined (e.g., Button Primary), that combo class might be setting the style.
• Check for Pseudo-States: See if you’re in a state like Hover or Pressed. If a style is active there, normal state edits won’t override it.
• Check for Nested Styling: If a style is applied through targeting child elements or within a component (like targeting a Link Block’s text inside a Navbar), that may be overriding a broader base class.

3. How to Properly Edit the Style

• Select the More Specific Selector: Instead of editing the base class, select the exact combination or element that has the specific selector.
• Reset Overridden Styles if Needed: In the Style panel, overridden properties often show a blue line. Click the blue dot next to a property to remove the override if you want to use the base class styling.
• Create or Edit the Combo Class: If the specificity is necessary (like a primary vs secondary button), edit the combo class directly for the variant.

4. Common Scenarios That Cause This

• Applying different styles to components inside a Symbol.
• Styling employing Webflow’s Element Settings Panel rather than the Style Panel.
• Editing global tags like All Paragraphs (All

  ) and then setting something even more specific on individual paragraphs.

Summary

The "overridden by a more specific selector" message happens when a more targeted style rule is already controlling the element’s style. You should either edit the more specific selector or reset the overrides if you intend to standardize the base class styling. Always check for combo classes, pseudo-states, or nested targeting when troubleshooting.