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An Overview Of Divi Sections
An Overview Of Divi Sections

Sections are the builder's largest building blocks, and can be used in various ways.

Mitch avatar
Written by Mitch
Updated over a week ago

Sections are the biggest building blocks in the Divi builder. There are 3 distinct types of sections:

  • Regular Section

  • Fullwidth Section

  • Specialty Section

You can think of them as horizontal stacking blocks that can group your content into visually distinguishable areas.

In Divi, everything you build starts with a section. This content wrapper has various settings that can be used to do some awesome things.

Regular Section

This Section type is the most used in almost any Divi page layout. It allows the usage of column-based layouts.

Fullwidth Section

Unlike Regular Sections, there is no concept of Rows or Columns since this type of Section contains modules that always take advantage of 100% of the screen.

Fullwidth modules are a great way to add a visual break to the page:

  • Fullwidth Code module

  • Fullwidth Header module

  • Fullwidth Image module

  • Fullwidth Portfolio module

  • Fullwidth Post Slider module

  • Fullwidth Post Title module

  • Fullwidth Slider module

Specialty Sections

Specialty Sections were created to allow for more advanced column structures. Unlike normal sections, when you use a specialty section, you can add complex column variations next to full-spanning vertical sidebars without adding unwanted breaks to the page.

These types of layouts are not possible using normal sections.

Once you add a specialty section to the page, you will notice that one area has an Add Module button while the other has an Insert Row button.

The Insert Module area represents your vertical sidebar. You can add as many modules here in a single row, and they will span the vertical width of the section adjacent to the column structure you build next to it.

Clicking Insert Row will allow you to insert additional rows to the left/right of your sidebar. In a way, this can be adding rows within rows.

Specialty Section's column layouts

The result is the ability to create just about any column structure you could dream of, and no matter what structure you choose, we have made sure that the combination will look great! Here is an example of a page layout created using specialty sections.

As you can see, the effect is a dual-sidebar layout, with two vertical-spanning rows on the left/right of a complex column structure in the middle.

Example of Specialty section usage

How To Add A Section To Your Page

  1. Edit or Create a new Page from WordPress Dashboard → Pages → All Pages.

  2. If the page:

    1. Already has the Divi Builder enabled, click on Edit with Divi link:

      Edit page with Divi


      This will launch the Visual Builder.

    2. Doesn't have the Divi Builder enabled, open the page with the WordPress default editor by clicking on the Edit Link and enable the Divi Builder by clicking on the Use The Divi Builder button.

      Enable the Visual Builder

  3. Click the blue + button to add a new section to your page.

You will be greeted with a popup that allows you to add any of Divi's three section types, which include:

  • Standard section (blue color)

  • Specialty section (red color)

  • Fullwidth section (purple color)

Add a new Section

Once the section has been added, you will be greeted with the section's list of options. These options are separated into three main tabs:

  • Content

  • Design

  • Advanced

Content Tab

All of the section's content elements are in the content tab. For sections, the Content Tab's elements are limited to:

  • Link

  • Background

  • Admin Label

Section's Tabs

Link

  • Section Link URL - Define a link. The URL used here will be used when the user clicks on the Section

  • Section Link Target - Define how the link opens:

    • In The Same Window - The link will open in the same browser Tab.

    • In A New Tab - The link will open in a new browser Tab.

Section's Content Tab

Background

In the Background option group, the following options can be set:

  • Background Color

  • Background Gradient

  • Background Image

  • Background Video

  • Background Pattern

  • Background Mask

How to Add a Background Color

  1. Click the first tab, the Paint Bucket icon.

  2. Click Add Background Color and choose from your site's color palette, or use the eyedropper icon to find a new color.

Section's Background Color

How to Add a Background Gradient

  1. Click the second tab, the Gradient icon

  2. Click Add Background Gradient.
    To change the gradient colors, click on the gradient stops and select a color from your site’s color palette or use the eyedropper icon to choose a new color. Gradient stops allow you to add more colors to the gradient. Click anywhere on the range slider to add a new stop.

Background Gradient options

  • Gradient Type - You can change the gradient type by clicking the dropdown menu and selecting the desired gradient type.

  • Gradient Direction - You can change the direction of the gradient by dragging the range slider or typing in a numerical value.

  • Repeat Gradient - Toggle this option to yes if you want the gradient to repeat.

  • Gradient Unit - The gradient unit changes how the gradient stop points are calculated. Select the dropdown to change the unit.

  • Place Gradient Above Background Image - If a background image is applied, you can place the gradient above the background image by toggling this option to yes.

Section's Background Gradient

How to Add a Background Image

  1. Click the third tab, the Image icon.

  2. Click the gray + sign to bring up the Media Library, where you can select an already uploaded photo from your library or upload a new one.

Background Image options

  • Use Parallax Effect - To apply a parallax effect to the image (where the image scrolls faster than the foreground content, giving the illusion of a 3D effect), then toggle this option to on. By default, this setting is set to off.

  • Background Image Size - Choose the size of your background image by selecting a size from the dropdown menu.

  • Background Image Position - Choose the position of the background image by selecting a position from the dropdown menu.

  • Background Image Repeat - Choose if and how the background image repeats by selecting an option from the dropdown menu.

  • Background Image Blend - Choose how the background blends with other layers in the module by selecting an option from the dropdown menu.

Section's Background Image

How To Add a Background Video

  1. Click the fourth tab, the Video icon.

  2. Click the gray + icon to bring up the media library, where you can select an already uploaded photo from your library or upload a new one.

Background Video options

  • Mp4 vs Webm. - We recommend uploading both mp4 version and webm version of the video because not all browsers support webm video formats. Uploading both file types ensures your video will play on all devices and browsers.

  • Background Video Width - Set the video's width by typing in a numerical value.

  • Background Video Height - Se the height of the video by typing in a numerical value.

  • Pause Video When Another Video Plays - If you’d like the background video to pause when another video is playing, toggle that option to yes. By default, the video will pause when not in view. If you want the video to continue playing, toggle this option to no.

Section's Background Video

How to Add a Background Pattern

  1. Click the 5th tab, the Pattern icon

  2. Click Add Background Pattern.
    Choose the pattern type you want from the dropdown.

Background Pattern options

  • Pattern Color - Select the pattern color from your site’s color palette or use the eyedropper icon to find a new color.

  • Pattern Transform - This is where you can transform the pattern horizontally, vertically, rotate it, or invert it.

  • Pattern Size - Pattern size is where you can select the pattern size: the actual size, cover, fit, stretch to fill or custom size. If you select custom size, the following options will appear: pattern width and pattern height. Drag the range slider or type in a numerical value to define those options.

  • Pattern Repeat Origin - Here, you can select the origin from which the pattern repeats.

  • Pattern Horizontal and Vertical Offset - You can also adjust the horizontal and vertical offsets for the pattern.

  • Pattern Repeat - Here, you can choose how the pattern repeats – horizontally, vertically, and more.

  • Pattern Blend Mode - This defines how the pattern layer interacts with the layers beneath it. Select from one of the 16 blend modes available from the dropdown.

Section's Background Paterns

How to Add a Background Mask

  1. Click the 6th tab, the Mask icon.

  2. Click Add Background Mask. Select the mask type you want via the dropdown menu.

Background Mask options

  • Mask Color - Choose the mask color from your site’s color palette, or use the eyedropper icon to find a new color.

  • Mask Transform - Here, you can transform the mask horizontally, vertically, rotate it, or invert it.

  • Mask Aspect Ration - Here, you can set the aspect ratio of the mask. The aspect ratio of an image is the ratio of its width to its height.

  • Mask Size - You can select the mask size: the actual size, cover, fit, stretch to fill or custom size. If you select custom size, the following options will appear: mask width and height. Drag the range slider or type in a numerical value to define those options.

  • Mask Blend Mode - This defines how the mask layer interacts with the layers beneath it. Select from one of the 16 blend modes available from the dropdown.

Section's Background Mask

Admin Label

In this dropdown, you can add an admin label that will appear in the back-end builder, in Wireframe and the Layers View.

This is quite useful, especially when working with large layouts. Labeling all the Sections helps you quickly identify them with ease.

Section's Admin Label

Design Tab

Within the design tab, you will find all of the section's styling options, such as:

  • Section Dividers

  • Sizing

  • Spacing

  • Border

  • Box Shadow

  • Filter

  • Transform

  • Animation

The Design Tab is where all the main styling options can be found. Every Section has a long list of design settings that you can use to change just about anything.

Section's Design Tab

Layout

  • Show Inner Shadow - If enabled, it will define an Inner Shadow.

Dividers

It allows creating and customizing the Section's top and bottom Dividers

  • Divider Style - Define the style of the Divider. You can choose from 26 carefully crafted Dividers for the Top and Bottom of the Section.

  • Divider Color - Defines the background color of the divider.

  • Divider Height - Define the height of the divider.

  • Divier Horizontal Repeat - Define how often the divider will be repeated on its vertical axe.

  • Divider Flip - Define the divider's horizontal and vertical flip orientation.

  • Divider Arrangement - Define where the divider will be shown in relation to the section's content.

Sizing

This option group defines the sizing (width and height) of the Section. You can set a max-width, a max-height and a min-height for the Section.

Click the arrows to choose the module alignment (left, center, or right). By default, a Section is left-align .

  • Width - Defines the width of the Section. By default, the width is as wide as the browser window. For more information, please check out the official documentation.

  • Max Width - Defines the max-widt of the Section. For more information, please check out the official documentation.

  • Section Alignment - If a Width or a Max Width value is set, the Section alignment can be set using the three options:

    • Left Aligned

    • Center Aligned

    • Right Aligned

  • Min Height - Defines the minimum value for the Section's height. For more information, please check out the official documentation.

  • Height - Define the height of the section. For more information, please check out the official documentation.

  • Max Height - Defines the max-height value the Section can have. For more information, please check out the official documentation.

Section's Sizing

Spacing

You can add margins or spacing to this module by typing in numerical values.

Section's Spacing

Margin adds space outside the Section, and Padding adds space inside the Section. To lock in ratios and keep the values the same, click the chainlink icon between the values you want to always be identical (ex, top and bottom).

The default margin values for a regular Section are 0.

The default padding values for regular Sections are as follows:

  • Top Padding: 54px

  • Bottom Padding: 54px

  • Left Padding: 0px

  • Right Padding: 0px

Border

Add a border to the module. You can add a complete border or a border to only one side of the module. Adjust the width via the range slider and select a color. Choose a border style by clicking the dropdown.

  • Rounded Corners – Type in a numerical value for round border corners. The higher the number, the rounder the corners will be. The corner values are automatically linked (as seen by the highlighted blue chainlink in the middle); however, if you’d like to have different values for each corner, click the blue chainlink to unlink the values. If the values are automatically linked, they will always have the same value and update automatically if one value is changed.

  • Border Styles – Here, you can add a border to all sides of the module or individual sides (top, right, bottom, and left).

  • Border Width - This is where you set the width of the border. For a thicker border, increase the number. The border width must be at least 1px to show.

  • Border Color – This is where you can pick the border's color. You can select a color from your default site color palette that is already displayed or click on the eyedropper icon to find a new color.

  • Border Style – Here, you can select what border style you’d like: solid, dashed, dotted, double, groove, ridge, inset, outset, or none.

Section's Border

Box Shadow

Here, you can add a drop shadow to the entire module. Once a shadow style is clicked, you can customize the following options:

  • Box Shadow Horizontal Position - Defines the horizontal position of the drop shadow.

  • Box Shadow Vertical Position - Defines the vertical position of the drop shadow.

  • Box Shadow Blur Strength - Defines the strength of the shadow's blur. The higher the value, the bigger the blur, the wider and lighter the shadow.

  • Box Shadow Spread Strength - Defines the spread strength of the blur. Increasing the spread strength will increase the density of the box shadow. Higher density results in a more intense shadow.

  • Shadow Color - Defines the shadow's color.

  • Box Shadow Position - Defines the shadow's position. It can be inside the Section or outside the Section.

Section's Box Shadow

Filters

You can adjust the Section's filters:

  • Hue - Defines the hue angle of a color.

  • Saturation- Defines how intense the color saturation should be.

  • Brightness - Defines how bright the colors should be.

  • Contrast - Defines how distinct bright and dark areas should be.

  • Invert - Invert the hue, saturation, and brightness by the specified value.

  • Sepia - Defines a warmer, more yellow/brown appearance.

  • Opacity - Defines how transparent or opaque the background (color, gradient, image, etc.) should be.

  • Blur - Defines the amount of Gaussian Blur applied to the Section.

The Blend Mode refers to how the module blends with the layers beneath it. By default, normal will be selected.

Note: Any of the above filters will also impact the Section's inner elements: Rows, Columns, and Modules.

Section's Filters

Transform

  • Scale

  • Translate

  • Rotate

  • Skew

  • Origin points

Tab through to access each option. Configure each option by inputting numerical values or dragging and expanding the box or circle.

You can lock in these values to always be identical by clicking the chain link icon at the bottom right.

Section's Transform

Animation

Here, you can apply animation to the module. Once you choose a style, you can adjust the following options:

  • Animation Duration - Defines the length of time that an animation takes to complete one cycle.

  • Animation Delay - Define the amount of time to wait from applying the animation to an element before beginning to perform the animation. The animation can start later, immediately from its beginning, or immediately and partway through the animation.

  • Animation Starting Opacity - Define the starting opacity value.

  • Animation Speed Curve - Define the easing method of your animation. Easing your animation in and out will create a smoother effect than a linear speed curve.

  • Animation Repeat - By default, animations will only play once. If you want to loop your animation continuously, choose the Loop option here.

Section's Animation

Advanced Tab

Within the Advanced tab, you will find options that more experienced web designers might find useful, such as custom CSS.

Here, you can apply custom CSS to your module. You can also apply custom CSS classes and IDs to the module, which can be used to customize the module's styles with more advanced CSS properties or to apply custom CSS code using the module's CSS class.

Section's Advanced Tab

CSS ID & Classes

You can assign a specific CSS ID or class to this module. This is helpful when applying custom CSS to a module by using your child theme’s stylesheet.

Section's CSS ID and Classes

Custom CSS

  • Free-Form CSS - Write free-form css using the keyword selector to target this module. Example: selector h1 {color: red;}

  • Module Elements - You can also apply custom CSS to this module by pasting it in this tab. When you click on the Module Elements tab, you'll see individual sections where you can add custom CSS properties.

Section's Custom CSS

Conditions

This tab allows you to choose when to display the Section based on a set of conditions, like when a user is visiting the page if they’ve already purchased from your company before, what browser they are using, what operating system they’re using, and more.

You can add one condition or multiple conditions.

Conditional Display Rules

Visibility

  • Disable on - Defines the visibility of the section. You can disable it (hide it from view) when the display window is a Phone, Tablet, or Desktop by clicking the corresponding checkbox.

  • Horizontal Overflow - Defines what shows when content overflows a block-level element's left and right edges. This may be:

    • Visible - The content will show if the section's content overflows its height.

    • Scroll - If the section's content overflows its height, a vertical scroll bar will be used to scroll through its content.

    • Hidden - If the section's content overflows its height, the part of the content that overflows will be hidden.

    • Auto - The browser will decide whether a scroll bar will be shown.

  • Vertical Overflow - Defines what shows when content overflows a block-level element's top and bottom edges. This may be:

    • Visible - The content will show if the section's content overflows its height.

    • Scroll - If the section's content overflows its height, a vertical scroll bar will be used to scroll through its content.

    • Hidden - If the section's content overflows its height, the part of the content that overflows will be hidden.

    • Auto - The browser will decide whether a scroll bar will be shown.

Section's Visibility

Transitions

This controls the hover animation's transition duration, delay, and speed curve.

  • Transition Duration - Defines the duration (in milliseconds) of the transition of the hover animation.

  • Transition Delay - Defines the transition delay of the hover animation (in milliseconds).

  • Transition Speed Curve - Defines the transition speed curve of the hover animation.

Section's Transitions

Position

  • Position - This defines the position of the section:

    • Relative (default value) - The section is positioned according to the normal flow of the document, and then offset values are relative to itself based on the values of Vertical Offset and Horizontal Offset. The offset does not affect the position of any other elements; thus, the space given for the section in the page layout is the same as if the position were default (static).

    • Absolute - The section is removed from the normal document flow, and no space is created for the element in the page layout. The section is positioned relative to its closest positioned ancestor (if any) or the initial containing block. The Location options determine its final position

    • Fixed - The section is removed from the normal document flow, and no space is created for the element in the page layout. The section is positioned based on the location options in relation to the browser window. This can be used to create a sticky section.

  • Vertical Offset - Defines the section's vertical position.

  • Horizontal Offset - Defines the section's horizontal position.

  • Z-index - Defines the order of the section in the page layout. Section with a higher z-index number overlaps sections with a lower z-index.

Section's Poistion

Scroll Effects

This section defines the section's behavior when the user scrolls the page. You can make the section sticky to the top, bottom, or both and decide if the section should transform as the user scrolls.

Additionally, you can enable vertical motion on this section, which allows you to adjust the scrolling speed of the element without affecting the surrounding elements.

The Motion Trigger Effect feature lets you choose when the scroll effect you just applied is triggered. You can trigger the effect when the section's top, middle, or bottom is in view.

Section's Scroll Effects
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