Skip to main content

Documentation

Switcher

Dynamically transition through different content panes.

Usage

The Switcher component consists of a number of toggles and their related content items. Add the uk-switcher attribute to a list element that contains the toggles. Add the .uk-switcher class to the element containing the content items.

By default, the element with the .uk-switcher class has to succeed the toggle directly in order for the switcher to function. If you need it to be nested in another element, for example when using a grid, add the connect: SELECTOR option to the uk-switcher attribute and select the element containing the items for switching.

Typically, the switcher toggles are styled through other components, some of which will be shown here.

<!-- This is the nav containing the toggling elements -->
<ul uk-switcher>
    <li><a href="#"></a></li>
</ul>

<!-- This is the container of the content items -->
<div class="uk-switcher">
    <div></div>
</div>

In this example we are using the Subnav component.

Hello!
Hello again!
Bazinga!
<ul class="uk-subnav uk-subnav-pill" uk-switcher>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
</ul>

<div class="uk-switcher uk-margin">
    <div>Hello!</div>
    <div>Hello again!</div>
    <div>Bazinga!</div>
</div>

In some cases you want to switch to another content section from within the active content. This is possible using the uk-switcher-item attribute. To target the items, you need to set the attribute to the number of the respective content items.

Setting the attribute to next and previous will switch to the adjacent items.

<div class="uk-switcher uk-margin">
    <div><a href="#" uk-switcher-item="0"></a></div>
    <div><a href="#" uk-switcher-item="1"></a></div>
    <div><a href="#" uk-switcher-item="next"></a></div>
    <div><a href="#" uk-switcher-item="previous"></a></div>
</div>
Hello again! Next item
Bazinga! Previous item
<ul class="uk-subnav uk-subnav-pill" uk-switcher>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="uk-switcher uk-margin">
    <div>Hello! <a href="#" uk-switcher-item="2">Switch to item 3</a></div>
    <div>Hello again! <a href="#" uk-switcher-item="next">Next item</a></div>
    <div>Bazinga! <a href="#" uk-switcher-item="previous">Previous item</a></div>
</div>

Connect multiple containers

It is also possible to connect multiple content containers. Just add the connect parameter to the uk-switcher attribute and use a selector that applies to all items.

<!-- This is the nav containing the toggling elements -->
<ul uk-switcher="connect: .my-class">…</ul>

<!-- These are the containers of the content items -->
<div class="uk-switcher my-class">…</div>

<div class="uk-switcher my-class">…</div>

Container 1

Hello!
Hello again!
Bazinga!

Container 2

Hello! The first item.
Hello again! The second item.
Bazinga! The third item.
<ul class="uk-subnav uk-subnav-pill" uk-switcher="connect: .switcher-container">
    <li><a href="#">Active</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
</ul>

<h4>Container 1</h4>

<div class="uk-switcher switcher-container uk-margin">
    <div>Hello!</div>
    <div>Hello again!</div>
    <div>Bazinga!</div>
</div>

<h4>Container 2</h4>

<div class="uk-switcher switcher-container uk-margin">
    <div>Hello! The first item.</div>
    <div>Hello again! The second item.</div>
    <div>Bazinga! The third item.</div>
</div>

Animations

You can apply all animations from the Animation component to switcher items. To do so, add the animation parameter with the relevant class to the uk-switcher attribute.

<ul uk-switcher="animation: uk-animation-fade">…</ul>
Hello!
Hello again!
Bazinga!
<ul class="uk-subnav uk-subnav-pill" uk-switcher="animation: uk-animation-fade">
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
</ul>

<div class="uk-switcher uk-margin">
    <div>Hello!</div>
    <div>Hello again!</div>
    <div>Bazinga!</div>
</div>

Multiple animations

You can also apply multiple animations from the Animation component. That way you can add different in and out animations.

<ul uk-switcher="animation: uk-animation-slide-left-medium, uk-animation-slide-right-medium">…</ul>
Hello!
Hello again!
Bazinga!
<ul class="uk-subnav uk-subnav-pill" uk-switcher="animation: uk-animation-slide-left-medium, uk-animation-slide-right-medium">
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
</ul>

<div class="uk-switcher uk-margin">
    <div>Hello!</div>
    <div>Hello again!</div>
    <div>Bazinga!</div>
</div>

Switcher and subnav

The switcher is easily applied to the Subnav component.

<!-- This is the subnav containing the toggling elements -->
<ul class="uk-subnav uk-subnav-pill" uk-switcher>…</ul>

<!-- This is the container of the content items -->
<div class="uk-switcher"></div>
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.
<ul class="uk-subnav uk-subnav-pill" uk-switcher>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
</ul>

<div class="uk-switcher uk-margin">
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.</div>
    <div>Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.</div>
    <div>Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.</div>
</div>

Switcher and tab

As an exception to the rule, add the uk-tab attribute instead of uk-switcher to the tabbed navigation to combine the switcher with the Tab component.

<!-- This is the subnav containing the toggling elements -->
<ul uk-tab>…</ul>

<!-- This is the container of the content items -->
<ul class="uk-switcher">…</ul>
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.
<ul uk-tab>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
</ul>

<div class="uk-switcher uk-margin">
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.</div>
    <div>Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.</div>
    <div>Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.</div>
</div>

Vertical tabs

Use the Grid and Width components to display content correctly with a vertical tabbed navigation.

<div uk-grid>
    <div class="uk-width-auto">
        <ul class="uk-tab-left" uk-tab="connect: #my-id">…</ul>
    </div>
    <div class="uk-width-expand">
        <div id="my-id" class="uk-switcher">…</div>
    </div>
</div>
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.
<div class="uk-child-width-1-2@s" uk-grid>
    <div>
        <div uk-grid>
            <div class="uk-width-auto@m">
                <ul class="uk-tab-left" uk-tab="connect: #component-tab-left; animation: uk-animation-fade">
                    <li><a href="#">Active</a></li>
                    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
                    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
                </ul>
            </div>
            <div class="uk-width-expand@m">
                <div id="component-tab-left" class="uk-switcher">
                    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.</div>
                    <div>Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.</div>
                    <div>Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.</div>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <div>
        <div uk-grid>
            <div class="uk-width-auto@m uk-flex-last@m">
                <ul class="uk-tab-right" uk-tab="connect: #component-tab-right; animation: uk-animation-fade">
                    <li><a href="#">Active</a></li>
                    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
                    <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
                </ul>
            </div>
            <div class="uk-width-expand@m">
                <div id="component-tab-right" class="uk-switcher">
                    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.</div>
                    <div>Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.</div>
                    <div>Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.</div>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

Switcher and button

The switcher can also be applied to buttons or button groups from the Button component. Just add the switcher attribute to a block around a group of buttons or to the element with the .uk-button-group class.

<!-- This is a switcher using a number of buttons -->
<div uk-switcher="toggle: > *">
    <button class="uk-button uk-button-default" type="button"></button>
    <button class="uk-button uk-button-default" type="button"></button>
</div>

<div class="uk-switcher">…</div>
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.
<div uk-switcher="animation: uk-animation-fade; toggle: > *">
    <button class="uk-button uk-button-default" type="button">Item</button>
    <button class="uk-button uk-button-default" type="button">Item</button>
    <button class="uk-button uk-button-default" type="button">Item</button>
</div>

<div class="uk-switcher uk-margin">
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.</div>
    <div>Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.</div>
    <div>Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.</div>
</div>

Note Since this example does not wrap the buttons into list items the clickable elements which trigger the content switching has to be changed by using the toggle option.

Switcher and nav

To apply the switcher to the Nav component, add the uk-switcher attribute to the nav <ul> element. Use the Grid and Width components to arrange nav and content in a grid layout.

<div uk-grid>
    <div class="uk-width-small">
        <ul class="uk-nav uk-nav-default" uk-switcher="connect: #my-id">…</ul>
    </div>
    <div class="uk-width-expand">
        <div id="my-id" class="uk-switcher">…</div>
    </div>
</div>
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.
<div uk-grid>
    <div class="uk-width-small@m">

        <ul class="uk-nav uk-nav-default" uk-switcher="connect: #component-nav; animation: uk-animation-fade">
            <li><a href="#">Active</a></li>
            <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
            <li><a href="#">Item</a></li>
        </ul>

    </div>
    <div class="uk-width-expand@m">

        <div id="component-nav" class="uk-switcher">
            <div>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.</div>
            <div>Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.</div>
            <div>Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur, sed do eiusmod.</div>
        </div>

    </div>
</div>

Component options

Any of these options can be applied to the component attribute. Separate multiple options with a semicolon. Learn more

Option Value Default Description
connect CSS selector ~.uk-switcher Related items container. By default succeeding elements with class 'uk-switcher'.
toggle CSS selector > * > :first-child Select the clickable elements which trigger content switching.
itemNav CSS selector false Related nav container. By default, nav items are found in related items container only.
active Number 0 Active index on init. Providing a negative number indicates a position starting from the end of the set.
animation String false Space-separated names of animations. Comma-separated for animation out.
duration Number 200 The animation duration.
swiping Boolean true Use swiping.
followFocus Boolean false Selection follows focus automatically.

connect is the Primary option and its key may be omitted, if it's the only option in the attribute value.

<span uk-switcher=".switcher-container"></span>

JavaScript

Learn more about JavaScript components.

Initialization

UIkit.switcher(element, options);

Events

The following events will be triggered on the connected items of the elements with this component attached:

Name Description
beforeshow Fires before an item is shown. Can prevent showing by calling preventDefault() on the event.
show Fires after an item is shown.
shown Fires after the item's show animation has been completed.
beforehide Fires before an item is hidden. Can prevent hiding by calling preventDefault() on the event.
hide Fires after an item's hide animation has started.
hidden Fires after an item is hidden.

Methods

The following methods are available for the component:

Show

UIkit.switcher(element).show(index);

Shows the Switcher item with given index.

Name Type Default Description
index String, Number, Node 0 Switcher item to show. 0 based index.

Accessibility

The Switcher component adheres to the Tab WAI-ARIA design pattern and automatically sets the appropriate WAI-ARIA roles, states and properties.

Keyboard interaction

The toggle navigation can be accessed through the keyboard using the following keys.

By default, the Switcher component has the manual activation behavior. This means the corresponding content items will only be activated using the enter or spacekeys. To switch to automatic activation, set follow-focus to true. When navigating through toggle items, the corresponding content item will get active automatically.