How to Select and Manipulate CSS pseudo-elements using JavaScript / jQuery ?

In this article, we will learn how to select and manipulate CSS pseudo-elements using JavaScript (or jQuery). CSS pseudo-elements allow developers to style and enhance specific parts of an HTML document with the help of selectors like::before and::after, which provide the flexibility to add decorative content, modify layouts, and create unique visual effects. Here we are manipulating CSS pseudo-element with the help of Javascript or jQuery methods.

A CSS pseudo-element is a keyword added to a selector that lets you style a specific part of the selected elements. For Example, Styling the first letter or line of an element.

Approach 1: Using JavaScript

The first approach to select and manipulate the CSS pseudo-elements is by using JavaScript. In this, we are going to use the::after pseudo-element of CSS to manipulate its styles, etc.

Example: Below example demonstrates selecting and manipulating the:: after pseudo-element using Javascript.

In JavaScript, an event listener is added to the .myclass element. When the element is hovered over, the data-content attribute is updated with the value "This is Hovered After". When the mouse moves out of the element, the data-content attribute is set back to "This is After".

Output:

👁 ezgifcom-crop-(33).gif

Approach 2: Using jQuery

The second approach to select and manipulate the CSS pseudo-elements is by using jQuery. Here, we will be using the attr() function that allows you to retrieve the value of an attribute and use it as a value for a CSS property.

Example: Below example demonstrates selecting and manipulating of: after pseudo-element using jQuery attr() and hover() method.

Output:

👁 ezgifcom-crop-(31).gif