What is a syntax error & how to fix it

Apr 18

You've bravely ventured into the world of Squarespace custom code, ready to unleash your inner web design wizard. You meticulously craft your CSS masterpiece, line by line, feeling a surge of creative power. But then...dread strikes! A glaring red message appears at the bottom of the CSS panel: "Syntax Error." 😳

Don't panic! This isn't a custom code disaster, it’s just a friendly (albeit slightly dramatic) notification from Squarespace.

What is a syntax error?

A syntax error message is a fancy way of saying your code has a tiny hiccup. It could be a missing curly brace (the squiggly ones: { }), an extra space where it shouldn't be, or even a typo. Squarespace is just looking out for you, ensuring your code is grammatically correct in the world of web languages.

Why does the Bright Red Text show up the second you start typing?

The bright red might seem like a major alarm, but it's more like a flashing yellow light – a caution, not a road closure. The message sticks around until you close your code properly, making sure every curly brace has its matching partner (think of them as holding hands!) all the symbols are in the right places, and that it understands what your trying to say in your code. This ensures your custom code will be able to tell the web browser exactly what to do.

Here's the Secret: Syntax errors are incredibly common, especially for beginners. You'll likely see them every time you start tinkering with custom code. They're not a sign of failure, but rather stepping stones on your coding journey.

So, how do you fix a syntax error?

Luckily, fixing syntax errors is usually a breeze. Simply scan your code for any missing curly braces, misplaced spaces, or typos. Once you find the culprit, make the correction, and watch the red message vanish like magic! Here are some of the most common reasons you’ll see a syntax error in Squarespace:

The Open-Ended Code Caper: That red message loves to appear right when you start coding. Don't worry – it's just reminding you to close your code properly with that matching curly brace (think holding hands: { }). Once you do, the error message vanishes like magic!
The Missing Semicolon Mystery: Separating your code instructions is key! When changing multiple things like background color and font size, a semicolon acts as a divider between your property (e.g., background-color) and its value (e.g., yellow). For easy spotting, add a new line for each property, like this:
.sqs-content-block {
background-color: yellow;
font-size: 15px
}
The Copy-Paste Code Catastrophe: Hold on to your prompts, aspiring code warriors! ChatGPT and other AI tools might generate cool ideas, but their code isn't always Squarespace-friendly. But you can have a secret weapon to fix that: Squarespace-specific selectors! These are like unique website nicknames that are specific for Squarespace, and using them ensures everything works smoothly. I use my trusty Squarespace CSS cheat sheet for every project for this reason. Even with AI-generated code, I can tweak it to work flawlessly within Squarespace. So, remember, a little Squarespace touch can transform that cool AI code into a Squarespace masterpiece! If you want to grab my Squarespace code collection, you can get the Squaresapce CSS Cheat Sheet at insidethesquare.co/css

The Takeaway: Embrace the Journey!

Don't let syntax errors deter you from exploring the world of custom code! They're a normal part of the learning process, and Squarespace is there to guide you. Embrace the red messages as opportunities to learn and refine your code. Remember, even the most experienced coders encounter these hiccups from time to time.

So keep trying creative new ideas, and most importantly, have fun with your Squarespace website!