The <input> tag
Definition and Usage
The <input> tag defines the start of an input field where the user can
enter data.
Differences Between HTML and XHTML
In HTML the <input> tag has no end tag.
In XHTML the <input> tag must be properly closed.
Tips and Notes
Note: The input element is empty, it contains attributes only.
Tip: Use the label element to define a label to a
form control.
Example
| Source |
Output |
<form
action="form_action.asp"
method="get">
First name:
<input type="text" name="fname" value="Mickey"
/>
<br />
Last name:
<input type="text" name="lname" value="Mouse"
/>
<br />
<input type="submit" value="Submit" />
</form>
<p>
If you click the "Submit" button, you will send your input to a new page
called form_action.asp.
</p> |
If you click the "Submit" button, you will send your input to a new page called
form_action.asp.
|
Optional Attributes
DTD indicates in which DTD the attribute is
allowed. S=Strict, T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| accept |
list_of_mime_types |
A comma-separated list of MIME types that indicates the
MIME type of the file transfer. Note: Only
used with type="file" |
STF |
| align |
left
right
top
texttop
middle
absmiddle
baseline
bottom
absbottom |
Defines the alignment of text following the image. Note: Only used with type="image" |
TF |
| alt |
text |
Defines an alternate text for the image. Note: Only used with type="image" |
STF |
| checked |
checked |
Indicates that the input element should be checked when
it first loads. Note: Used with type="checkbox" and type="radio" |
STF |
| disabled |
disabled |
Disables the input element when it first loads so that the
user can not write text in it, or select it.
Note: Cannot be used with type="hidden" |
STF |
| maxlength |
number |
Defines
the maximum number of characters allowed in a text field. Note:
Only used with type="text" |
STF |
| name |
field_name |
Defines a unique name for the input element. Note:
This attribute is required with type="button", type="checkbox", type="file",
type="hidden", type="image", type="password", type="text", and type="radio" |
STF |
| readonly |
readonly |
Indicates that the value of this field cannot be modified.
Note: Only used with type="text" |
STF |
| size |
number_of_char |
Defines the size of the input element. Note: Cannot be used with type="hidden" |
STF |
| src |
URL |
Defines the URL of the image to display. Note: Only used with
type="image" |
STF |
| type |
button
checkbox
file
hidden
image
password
radio
reset
submit
text |
Indicates the type of the input element. The default value is
"text"
Note: This is not a required attribute, but we think you should
include it. If omitted, IE 5.5 will still display a text field, but
Netscape 4.7 will not.
|
STF |
| value |
value |
For buttons, reset buttons and submit buttons:
Defines the text on the button. For image buttons: Defines the
symbolic result of the field passed to a script.
For checkboxes and radio buttons: Defines the result of the input
element when clicked. The result is sent to the form's action URL.
For hidden, password, and text fields: Defines the default value
of the element.
Note: Cannot be used with type="file"
Note: This attribute is required with type="checkbox" and
type="radio"
|
STF |
Standard Attributes
| id, class, title, style, dir, lang, xml:lang |
For a full description, go to Standard
Attributes.
Event Attributes
| tabindex, accesskey, onfocus, onblur, onselect, onchange, onclick, ondblclick, onmousedown, onmouseup, onmouseover, onmousemove, onmouseout, onkeypress, onkeydown, onkeyup |
For a full description, go to Event
Attributes.
|