[css-variables-1] Specify that if var substitution results in a single CSS-wide keyword, it's processed as if that were the specified value. w3c#5325

Author: tabatkins

css-variables-1/Overview.bs

@@ -388,29 +388,13 @@ Resolving Dependency Cycles</h3>
 
 
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@@ -568,6 +552,12 @@ Using Cascading Variables: the ''var()'' notation</h2>
 	does not match its declared grammar,
 	the declaration is <a>invalid at computed-value time</a>.
 
+	If a declaration,
+	once all ''var()'' functions are substituted in,
+	contains only a [=CSS-wide keyword=]
+	(and possibly whitespace),
+	its value is determined as if that keyword were its [=specified value=] all along.
+
 	<div class='example'>
 		For example,
 		the following usage is fine from a syntax standpoint,
@@ -589,6 +579,28 @@ Using Cascading Variables: the ''var()'' notation</h2>
 		rather than the initial value.
 	</div>
 
+	<div class='example'>
+		While a ''var()'' function can't get a [=CSS-wide keyword=]
+		from the [=custom property=] itself--
+		if you tried to specify that,
+		like ''--foo: initial;'',
+		it would just trigger [[css-cascade-4#defaulting-keywords|explicit defaulting]]
+		for the custom property--
+		it can have a [=CSS-wide keyword=] in its fallback:
+
+		<pre>
+		p { color: var(--does-not-exist, initial); }
+		</pre>
+
+		In the above code, if the ''--does-not-exist'' property didn't exist
+		or is [=invalid at computed-value time=],
+		the ''var()'' will instead substitute in the ''initial'' keyword,
+		making the property behave as if it was originally ''color: initial''.
+		This will make it take on the document's initial 'color' value,
+		rather than defaulting to inheritance,
+		as it would if there were no fallback.
+	</div>
+
 
 <h3 id='invalid-variables'>
 Invalid Variables</h3>