This chapter describes all HTML form elements.
The most important form element is the <input> element.
The <input> element can vary in many ways, depending on the type attribute.
All HTML input types are covered in the next chapter. |
The <select> element defines a drop-down list:
The <option> elements defines the options to select.
The list will normally show the first item as selected.
You can add a selected attribute to define a predefined option.
The <textarea> element defines a multi-line input field (a text area):
This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:
The <button> element defines a a clickable button:
This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:
HTML5 added the following form elements:
By default, browsers do not display unknown elements. New elements will not destroy your page. |
The <datalist> element specifies a list of pre-defined options for an <input> element.
Users will see a drop-down list of pre-defined options as they input data.
The list attribute of the <input> element, must refer to the id attribute of the <datalist> element.
An <input> element with pre-defined values in a <datalist>:
The purpose of the <keygen> element is to provide a secure way to authenticate users.
The <keygen> element specifies a key-pair generator field in a form.
When the form is submitted, two keys are generated, one private and one public.
The private key is stored locally, and the public key is sent to the server.
The public key could be used to generate a client certificate to authenticate the user in the future.
A form with a keygen field:
The <output> element represents the result of a calculation (like one performed by a script).
Perform a calculation and show the result in an <output> element:
= 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 |
<keygen> | Defines a key-pair generator field (for forms) |
<output> | Defines the result of a calculation |