Position Relative vs Absolute for Dropdowns

Key Concept: Understanding document flow is crucial for dropdown positioning:

1. Tool Card (Container with position: relative)

This tool card uses position: relative to establish a positioning context for its children. This is correct and necessary.
AI Writing Assistant
This tool helps you write better content with AI assistance. Click the buttons below to see different dropdown behaviors.

2. Dropdown with position: relative (PROBLEMATIC)

Why this fails: When using position: relative on the dropdown, it stays in the document flow and pushes other content down.
AI Writing Assistant
This tool helps you write better content with AI assistance. Notice how the dropdown pushes this content down when it appears, disrupting the layout.

3. Dropdown with position: absolute (CORRECT)

Why this works: position: absolute removes the dropdown from the document flow, so it appears over other content without disrupting the layout.
AI Writing Assistant
This tool helps you write better content with AI assistance. Notice how the dropdown appears over this content without moving it when it shows up.

Summary

For dropdown menus, always use:
  1. Container: position: relative - establishes positioning context
  2. Dropdown: position: absolute - removes from document flow

This combination allows the dropdown to position relative to its container while floating above other content.