HTML Form Elements

This chapter describes all HTML form elements.
The <input> Element


The most important form element is the <input> element.


The <input> element can be displayed in several ways, depending on the type attribute.
Example


<input name="firstname" type="text">


If the type attribute is omitted, the input field gets the default type: "text".


All the different input types are covered in the next chapter.
The <select> Element


The <select> element defines a drop-down list:

Example


<select name="cars">

<option value="volvo">Volvo</option>

<option value="saab">Saab</option>

<option value="fiat">Fiat</option>

<option value="audi">Audi</option>

</select>


The <option> elements defines an option that can be selected.


By default, the first item in the drop-down list is selected.


To define a pre-selected option, add the selected attribute to the option:

Example


<option value="fiat" selected>Fiat</option>


Visible Values:


Use the size attribute to specify the number of visible values:

Example


<select name="cars" size="3">

<option value="volvo">Volvo</option>

<option value="saab">Saab</option>

<option value="fiat">Fiat</option>

<option value="audi">Audi</option>

</select>


Allow Multiple Selections:


Use the multiple attribute to allow the user to select more than one value:

Example


<select name="cars" size="4" multiple>

<option value="volvo">Volvo</option>

<option value="saab">Saab</option>

<option value="fiat">Fiat</option>

<option value="audi">Audi</option>

</select>
The <textarea> Element


The <textarea> element defines a multi-line input field (a text area):

Example


<textarea name="message" rows="10" cols="30">

The cat was playing in the garden.

</textarea>The rows attribute specifies the visible number of lines in a text area.


The cols attribute specifies the visible width of a text area.


This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:




You can also define the size of the text area by using CSS:

Example


<textarea name="message" style="width:200px; height:600px">

The cat was playing in the garden.

</textarea>



The <button> Element


The <button> element defines a clickable button:

Example


<button type="button" onclick="alert('Hello World!')">Click Me!</button>This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

Click Me!


Note: Always specify the type attribute for the button element. Different browsers may use different default types for the button element.
HTML5 Form Elements


HTML5 added the following form elements:
<datalist>
<output>


Note: Browsers do not display unknown elements. New elements that are not supported in older browsers will not "destroy" your web page.
HTML5 <datalist> Element


The <datalist> element specifies a list of pre-defined options for an <input> element.


Users will see a drop-down list of the pre-defined options as they input data.


The list attribute of the <input> element, must refer to the id attribute of the <datalist> element.



Example


<form action="/action_page.php">

<input list="browsers">

<datalist id="browsers">

<option value="Internet Explorer">

<option value="Firefox">

<option value="Chrome">

<option value="Opera">

<option value="Safari">

</datalist>

</form>
HTML5 <output> Element


The <output> element represents the result of a calculation (like one performed by a script).



Example


Perform a calculation and show the result in an <output> element:


<form action="/action_page.php"
oninput="x.value=parseInt(a.value)+parseInt(b.value)">

0

<input type="range" id="a" name="a" value="50">

100 +

<input type="number" id="b" name="b" value="50">

=

<output name="x" for="a b"></output>

<br><br>

<input type="submit">

</form>

Test Yourself with Exercises!


Exercise 1 »Exercise 2 »Exercise 3 »
HTML Form Elements


= new in HTML5.



Tag

Description


<form>

Defines an HTML form for user input


<input>

Defines an input control


<textarea>

Defines a multiline input control (text area)


<label>

Defines a label for an <input> element


<fieldset>

Groups related elements in a form


<legend>

Defines a caption for a <fieldset> element


<select>

Defines a drop-down list


<optgroup>

Defines a group of related options in a drop-down list


<option>

Defines an option in a drop-down list


<button>

Defines a clickable button


<datalist>

Specifies a list of pre-defined options for input controls


<output>

Defines the result of a calculation