scrollIntoView block vs inline

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The block option decides where the element will be vertically aligned inside the visible area of its scrollable ancestor:

  • Using {block: "start"}, the element is aligned at the top of its ancestor.
  • Using {block: "center"}, the element is aligned at the middle of its ancestor.
  • Using {block: "end"}, the element is aligned at the bottom of its ancestor.
  • Using {block: "nearest"}, the element:
    • is aligned at the top of its ancestor if you’re currently below it.
    • is aligned at the bottom of its ancestor if you’re currently above it.
    • stays put, if it’s already in view.

The inline option decides where the element will be horizontally aligned inside the visible area of its scrollable ancestor:

  • Using {inline: "start"}, the element is aligned at the left of its ancestor.
  • Using {inline: "center"}, the element is aligned at the centre of its ancestor.
  • Using {inline: "end"}, the element is aligned at the right of its ancestor.
  • Using {inline: "nearest"}, the element:
    • is aligned at the left of its ancestor if you’re currently on its right.
    • is aligned at the right of its ancestor if you’re currently on its left.
    • stays put, if it’s already in view.

Both block and inline can be used at the same time to scroll to a specified point in one motion.

Check out the following snippet to see how each works in action.

Snippet:

/* ----- JavaScript ----- */
var buttons = document.querySelectorAll(".btn");

[].forEach.call(buttons, function (button) {
  button.onclick = function () {
    var where = this.dataset.where.split("-");
    document.querySelector("div#a1").scrollIntoView({
      behavior: "smooth",
      block: where[0],
      inline: where[1]
    });
  };
});
/* ----- CSS ----- */
body {
  padding: 500px;
  width: 2000px;
}

header {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100;
}

div#a1 {
  width: 1000px;
  height: 300px;
  background: url(//www.w3schools.com/css/trolltunga.jpg);
  background-repeat: no-repeat;
}
<!----- HTML ----->
<header>
  <button class="btn" data-where="start-start">T-L</button>
  <button class="btn" data-where="start-center">T-C</button>
  <button class="btn" data-where="start-end">T-R</button>
  <button class="btn" data-where="center-start">C-L</button>
  <button class="btn" data-where="center-center">C-C</button>
  <button class="btn" data-where="center-end">C-R</button>
  <button class="btn" data-where="end-start">B-L</button>
  <button class="btn" data-where="end-center">B-C</button>
  <button class="btn" data-where="end-end">B-R</button>
</header>

<div id = "a1"></div>

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