How do I apply CSS to a button on a page

 Introduction:

In Oracle APEX, customizing the appearance of your application helps improve both user experience and branding. One of the simplest yet most effective enhancements is applying CSS styles to buttons on your page. Whether you're aiming to adjust the color, size, font, or even add icons, CSS gives you the flexibility to control how buttons look and behave. This blog post will guide you step-by-step on how to apply CSS to a button in Oracle APEX using inline styles, CSS classes, or external style sheets.

Applying CSS to a button in Oracle APEX allows you to customize its appearance beyond the default themes, helping your application stand out or match a specific design guideline. Here is a detailed explanation of how to apply CSS styles to a button on a page in Oracle APEX.

1. Identify the Button
   First, determine which button you want to style. Each button in Oracle APEX has a unique Static ID or a button name. You can assign or find the Static ID in the button’s attributes under the “Advanced” section in the Page Designer.

2. Using Inline CSS
   You can apply simple styles directly to the button using inline CSS in the button’s attributes. For example, in the button’s “CSS Inline” property, you can add styles like:
   background-color: #007acc; color: white; border-radius: 5px;

This method is quick but not recommended for complex or reusable styles.

3. Using CSS Classes
   A better practice is to assign a CSS class to the button. In the button’s “CSS Classes” attribute, enter a class name such as custom-button. Then, define this class in the page-level CSS or your application’s shared CSS file. For example:

.custom-button {  
  background-color: #007acc;  
  color: white;  
  border-radius: 5px;  
  padding: 10px 20px;  
  font-weight: bold;  
  border: none;  
  cursor: pointer;  
}  

.custom-button:hover {  
  background-color: #005f99;  
}

This approach is reusable and separates styling from markup.

4. Adding CSS to Your Application
   To add custom CSS, navigate to the Application Shared Components > User Interface Attributes > Cascading Style Sheets section. You can add your CSS rules here, and they will apply globally or per theme. Alternatively, you can add CSS to a specific page by using the “Inline CSS” property under the Page Attributes.

5. Using Template Options
   Some button templates in APEX allow CSS customization through template options or predefined classes. Check the button’s template for options that can be combined with your CSS for better integration.

6. Using JavaScript for Dynamic Styles (Optional)
   If you want to change button styles dynamically, you can use JavaScript to add or remove CSS classes based on user interaction or conditions. For example, using a Dynamic Action or JavaScript code snippet:

$("#BUTTON_STATIC_ID").addClass("custom-button");

7. Testing and Adjusting
   After applying your CSS, preview the page and check the button appearance. Adjust your CSS rules as needed for responsiveness, accessibility, and consistency with your design.

In summary, applying CSS to buttons in Oracle APEX involves assigning unique identifiers or classes to buttons and defining CSS rules either inline, on the page, or application level. This method ensures flexibility, maintainability, and enhances the overall look and feel of your APEX applications.

Step 1 – Use the browser Developer tools and find the ID, or the class, of the button

Step 2 – At the PAGE level, add your CSS using the button’s class or ID

 

Your CSS might look something like this:

/*#B40221631299266322*/

.t-Button--primary.a-Button--noUI, .t-Button--primary.t-Button--noUI {

/*background-color: white;*/

background: rgba(255, 254, 254, 0.1);

  color: white;

  border: 0px solid #04AA6D; /* Green */

  transition-duration: 0.4s;

  width: 350px;

  height:200px;

  border-radius: 8px;

 padding: 32px 16px;

  font-size: 24px;

  /*opacity: 0.3;

 

*/

}

/*button :hover*/

.t-Button--primary.a-Button--noUI, .t-Button--primary.t-Button--noUI:hover {

 background-color: #04AA6D; /* Green */

  color: white;

}

Conclusion:

Styling buttons with CSS in Oracle APEX is a straightforward process that brings a significant visual improvement to your applications. By assigning custom classes or using inline styles, you can match your buttons to your desired theme or design. With the right CSS adjustments, buttons can become more intuitive and visually aligned with the overall user interface, leading to a more polished and user-friendly application.