Bootstrap Buttons and Button Groups

30 min

Bootstrap buttons are versatile components that provide consistent styling and behavior across your application. Buttons come in various contextual styles (primary, secondary, success, danger, warning, info, light, dark) that convey different meanings and actions. Each style uses semantic color coding to help users understand button purposes at a glance.

Button sizes can be adjusted using `.btn-lg`, `.btn-sm`, or the default size. Large buttons are useful for primary actions and call-to-action elements, while small buttons work well in compact spaces like toolbars or cards. Bootstrap also provides outline button variants (`.btn-outline-*`) that have transparent backgrounds with colored borders, offering a more subtle appearance.

Button states include normal, active, disabled, and loading states. The `.active` class indicates a pressed or selected button, while the `disabled` attribute prevents interaction and provides visual feedback. Bootstrap automatically handles focus states and hover effects, ensuring buttons are accessible and provide clear user feedback.

Button groups allow you to group related buttons together, creating toolbar-like interfaces. Button groups can be horizontal (default) or vertical using `.btn-group-vertical`. They automatically handle spacing and borders between buttons, creating a cohesive appearance. Button groups are perfect for action toolbars, filter controls, or segmented controls.

Button toolbars combine multiple button groups into a single toolbar, useful for complex interfaces with multiple action sets. Toolbars can include button groups, input groups, and other components, all properly aligned. This enables you to create sophisticated control interfaces like those found in text editors or admin panels.

Toggle buttons and checkbox/radio button groups provide interactive button interfaces where buttons can be selected or toggled. Using the `.btn-check` class with hidden checkboxes or radios, you can create button groups that function like form controls but with button styling. This pattern is excellent for filters, view switchers, and option selectors.

Key Concepts

Buttons come in contextual styles: primary, secondary, success, danger, etc.
Button sizes: .btn-lg, default, .btn-sm for different use cases.
Outline buttons provide alternative styling with transparent backgrounds.
Button groups combine related buttons with proper spacing.
Toggle buttons enable interactive button-based form controls.

Learning Objectives

Master

Using different button styles and sizes appropriately
Creating button groups and toolbars
Implementing toggle buttons and button-based form controls
Understanding button states and accessibility

Develop

Designing intuitive action interfaces
Understanding button hierarchy and visual weight
Creating accessible button interactions

Tips

Use primary buttons for main actions, secondary for less important actions.
Button groups automatically handle spacing - don't add margins manually.
Use .btn-block or .d-grid .gap-2 for full-width buttons.
Combine button groups with dropdowns for advanced interfaces.

Common Pitfalls

Using too many button styles, creating visual confusion.
Not providing proper labels or aria-labels for icon-only buttons.
Forgetting disabled state for unavailable actions.
Not testing button groups on mobile devices.

Summary

Bootstrap provides comprehensive button styling and components.
Button groups enable grouped action interfaces.
Toggle buttons provide button-based form controls.
Buttons are accessible and support various states.

Exercise

Create various button styles and a button group with different button types.

<div class="mb-3">
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">Primary</button>
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary">Secondary</button>
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-success">Success</button>
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-danger">Danger</button>
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-warning">Warning</button>
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-info">Info</button>
</div>

<div class="btn-group" role="group">
  <input type="radio" class="btn-check" name="options" id="option1" checked>
  <label class="btn btn-outline-primary" for="option1">Option 1</label>
  
  <input type="radio" class="btn-check" name="options" id="option2">
  <label class="btn btn-outline-primary" for="option2">Option 2</label>
  
  <input type="radio" class="btn-check" name="options" id="option3">
  <label class="btn btn-outline-primary" for="option3">Option 3</label>
</div>

Exercise Tips

Try different sizes: btn-lg, btn-sm for visual hierarchy.
Use outline variants: btn-outline-primary for alternative styling.
Create vertical button groups: btn-group-vertical.
Add button toolbars: <div class="btn-toolbar"> with multiple btn-groups.

Bootstrap Buttons and Button Groups