> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mailkick.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Structural Elements

> Organizing elements: groups, columns, and layouts

## Overview

**Structural elements** organize and lay out your simple elements. They contain other elements and define how they're arranged. These are the "containers" that give structure to your emails.

## Types of Structural Elements

### Group

A **group** is a simple container that groups multiple elements together. It lets you apply common styles to several elements and manipulate them as a unit.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Characteristics">
    * Simple container
    * Full width by default
    * Can contain any elements
    * Allows applying styles to the group
  </Card>

  <Card title="Key Properties">
    * **Background**: Background color
    * **Padding**: Inner spacing
    * **Border Radius**: Rounded corners
    * **Border**: Width and color
    * **Width**: Container width
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

**Use cases**: Sections with colored backgrounds, bordered containers, wrappers for multiple elements.

***

### Multi-columns (Flex-row)

A **Multi-column** element creates a layout with side-by-side content. It's the most powerful tool for creating complex layouts.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Structure">
    * Contains **columns**
    * Each column contains **elements**
    * Columns stack vertically on mobile (configurable)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Key Properties">
    * **Columns**: Number and size of columns
    * **Gap**: Spacing between columns
    * **Alignment**: Vertical and horizontal alignment
    * **Mobile Behavior**: Stack vertically or stay horizontal on mobile
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

#### Columns

Each column in a layout has its own properties:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Column Properties">
    * **Width**: Width as percentage (e.g., "50%")
    * **Background**: Background color
    * **Padding**: Inner spacing
    * **Vertical Align**: Content vertical alignment
  </Card>

  <Card title="Column Content">
    * Can contain any elements (simple or structural)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

**Use cases**: 2/3 column layouts, product grids, headers with logo + menu.

<Info>
  On mobile, columns typically stack vertically for better readability. You can configure this behavior in the element properties.
</Info>

#### Flexible Column Widths

Columns can have different widths:

* **Equal**: `50%` / `50%` (2 columns)
* **Unequal**: `33%` / `67%` (sidebar + main content)
* **Three columns**: `33%` / `34%` / `33%`
* **Any combination** that adds up to 100%

## Structural Hierarchy

Structural elements can be **nested** to create complex layouts. For example, you can have a "Header Group" containing a "Multi-column" element for your logo and navigation links.

## Working with Structural Elements

### Creating Structures

<Steps>
  <Step title="Group">
    Select multiple elements and group them, or create an empty group and add elements to it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Multi-columns">
    Click the "Multi-columns" button in the toolbar, or select elements and convert them to a multi-column layout.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Columns">
    Add columns to a layout via the properties panel. Adjust widths by resizing or typing values.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Modifying Structures

* **Group**: Select the group to modify its properties (background, padding, etc.)
* **Multi-columns**: Select the container to modify spacing, alignment, mobile behavior
* **Column**: Select a specific column to modify its width, background, padding

### Deleting Structures

<Warning>
  Deleting a group or multi-column element also deletes all elements it contains. Make sure you want to remove everything before deleting.
</Warning>

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Use groups for">
    * Logical grouping of elements
    * Applying common styles (background, padding)
    * Making sections easier to manipulate
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use multi-columns for">
    * Side-by-side layouts
    * Product/article grids
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Avoid">
    * Multi-columns with a single column (use a group instead)
    * Too many nesting levels (2-3 levels recommended max)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Mobile considerations">
    * Test how columns stack on mobile
    * Consider mobile readability when choosing column widths
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>