HarmonyOS Next Element Positioning

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by flfljh

Introduction

In HarmonyOS Next, child elements use the .position() attribute for relative positioning within parent elements. Usage example:

@Entry
@Component
struct PositionExample1 {
  build() {
    Column() {
        Row() {

        }
        .position({x: 50, y: 50})
    }
    .width('100%')
    .height('100%')
  }
}

This positions the child element 50 units from the parent’s left and top edges.

A common challenge is positioning elements near the right edge, especially given the diverse screen sizes across devices. How can we ensure consistent positioning across different devices?

We propose a solution using the LocalizedEdges type. This approach accounts for device diversity by:

1. Identifying device types
2. Adapting to screen dimensions
3. Maintaining consistent positioning across devices

Solution

Official documentation:
#position

Use LocalizedEdges for positioning relative to parent container edges, with mirroring support. This is ideal for:

• Fixed-position elements
• Floating action buttons
• Top-aligned components
• Edge-sensitive designs

Example of bottom-right positioning:

@Entry
@Component
struct PositionExample1 {
  build() {
    Column() {
        Row() {

        }
        // bottom: Offset from bottom edge
        // end: Offset from right edge (supports RTL mirroring)
        .position(bottom: { value: 20, unit: 2 }, end: { value: 20, unit: 2 })
    }
    .width('100%')
    .height('100%')
  }
}

Key features:

• unit: 2 specifies percentage-based positioning
• Works consistently across all screen sizes
• Automatically adjusts for right-to-left languages
• Maintains design integrity on any device

This concludes our overview of advanced positioning techniques in HarmonyOS Next.

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by flfljh