HTML Forms and Input

HTML Forms are used to select different kinds of user input. Examples Text fields This example demonstrates how to create text fields on an HTML page. A user can write text in a text field. Password fields This example demonstrates how to create a password field on an HTML page. (You can find more examples at the bottom of this page) Forms A form is an area that can contain form elements. Form elements are elements that allow the user to enter information (like text fields, textarea fields, drop-down menus, radio buttons, checkboxes, etc.) in a form. A form is defined with the <form> tag.
<form>
<input>
<input>
</form> Input The most used form tag is the <input> tag. The type of input is specified with the type attribute. The most commonly used input types are explained below. Text Fields Text fields are used when you want the user to type letters, numbers, etc. in a form.
<form>
First name:
<input type="text" name="firstname">
<br>
Last name:
<input type="text" name="lastname">
</form> How it looks in a browser: First name: Last name: Note that the form itself is not visible. Also note that in most browsers, the width of the text field is 20 characters by default.  Radio Buttons Radio Buttons are used when you want the user to select one of a limited number of choices.
<form>
<input type="radio" name="sex" value="male"> Male
<br>
<input type="radio" name="sex" value="female"> Female
</form> How it looks in a browser: Male Female Note that only one option can be chosen. Checkboxes Checkboxes are used when you want the user to select one or more options of a limited number of choices.
<form>
I have a bike:
<input type="checkbox" name="vehicle" value="Bike">
<br>
I have a car:
<input type="checkbox" name="vehicle" value="Car">
<br>
I have an airplane:
<input type="checkbox" name="vehicle" value="Airplane">
</form> How it looks in a browser: I have a bike: I have a car: I have an airplane: The Form's Action Attribute and the Submit Button When the user clicks on the "Submit" button, the content of the form is sent to another file. The form's action attribute defines the name of the file to send the content to. The file defined in the action attribute usually does something with the received input.
<form name="input" action="html_form_action.asp"
method="get">
Username:
<input type="text" name="user">
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form> How it looks in a browser: Username: If you type some characters in the text field above, and click the "Submit" button, you will send your input to a page called "html_form_action.asp". That page will show you the received input. More Examples Checkboxes This example demonstrates how to create check-boxes on an HTML page. A user can select or unselect a checkbox. Radio buttons This example demonstrates how to create radio-buttons on an HTML page. Simple drop down box This example demonstrates how to create a simple drop-down box on an HTML page. A drop-down box is a selectable list. Another drop down box This example demonstrates how to create a simple drop-down box with a pre-selected value. Textarea This example demonstrates how to create a text-area (a multi-line text input control). A user can write text in the text-area. In a text-area you can write an unlimited number of characters. Create a button This example demonstrates how to create a button. On the button you can define your own text. Fieldset around data This example demonstrates how to draw a border with a caption around your data. Form Examples Form with input fields and a submit button This example demonstrates how to add a form to a page. The form contains two input fields and a submit button. Form with checkboxes This form contains three checkboxes, and a submit button. Form with radio buttons This form contains two radio buttons, and a submit button. Send e-mail from a form This example demonstrates how to send e-mail from a form. Form Tags Tag Description <form> Defines a form for user input <input> Defines an input field <textarea> Defines a text-area (a multi-line text input control) <label> Defines a label to a control <fieldset> Defines a fieldset <legend> Defines a caption for a fieldset <select> Defines a selectable list (a drop-down box) <optgroup> Defines an option group <option> Defines an option in the drop-down box <button> Defines a push button <isindex> Deprecated. Use <input> instead