Tag <textarea> In HTML
Our objective in this chapter is to study Tag textarea through examples, in anticipation of satisfying the needs of learners.
The <textarea> tag in HTML is a form control element that is used to create a multi-line text input field on a web page. It allows users to enter and edit multiple lines of text in a form and is commonly used for comments, feedback, and other types of user input that require longer text input.
The <textarea> element is similar to the <input> element, but allows for a larger input area that can be expanded vertically and horizontally to fit the text entered by the user. It also supports special characters such as line breaks, which are not allowed in a single-line input field.
HTML Textarea Attributes
The <textarea> element has a few additional attributes that control its behavior and appearance:
- name: This attribute is used to associate the input with a name that can be used to reference it on the server when the form is submitted.
- rows and cols: These attributes control the size of the text area. The rows attribute specifies the number of visible lines of text, while the cols attribute specifies the number of visible columns.
- Content: The content between the opening and closing <textarea> tags is the default value that will be displayed in the input field. This content can be pre-populated with a default value or placeholder text.
Using the <textarea> tag, you can create a text input field for users’ comments:
Example:
You can disable the default resize option by following these steps:
Example:
Adding readonly or disabled attributes makes it noneditable:
Example:
Textarea tag can also be styled using CSS here is an example:
Example:
Advice: In order to ensure effective methods of accessibility, include the <label> tag!
Tag textarea Usage
The Tag <textarea> represents a multiple-line data input control.
The Tag textarea <textarea> element is commonly used in forms to store information provided by users, especially reviews and comments.
There is no limit to the number of characters that can be contained in a text area, and the text is displayed in a fixed-width font (generally Courier).
Using Tag textareas, we determine the width and height of a text area using the <cols> and <rows> attributes or through CSS.
In order for the form data to be accessed after submission, the name attribute is necessary. If the name attribute is not present, no data from the text area will be sent to the server.
In order to relate a label to a text area, the id attribute should be used.
The <textarea> tag can be used in a variety of ways, such as:
- <textarea> can be used to create input fields for user comments, feedback, and other types of longer text input.
- A contact form can include a <textarea> field for users to enter their message or inquiry.
- <textarea> is commonly used in content management systems to allow users to enter and edit large amounts of text for articles, blog posts, and other types of content.
- Some HTML editors use <textarea> to provide a larger text input area for editing HTML code.
- Messaging systems, such as chat or email, may use <textarea> to provide a larger text input area for composing messages.
Attributes
Global
The Tag textarea <textarea> are compatible with Global Attributes in HTML.
Event
The Tag <textarea> accommodates HTML Event Attributes as well.
Attributes List
| Attribute | Value | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| autofocus | autofocus | Allows the text area to automatically gain focus upon loading the page. |
| cols | number | Determines how wide a text area will be displayed. |
| dirname | textareaname.dir | Declare that the text direction of the textarea should be submitted. |
| disabled | disabled | Disable the text area. |
| form | form_id | Determine the form for which the text area is assigned. |
| maxlength | number | Allows the text area to contain a maximum number of characters. |
| name | text | Provide a name for the text area. |
| placeholder | text | Provide a short description of the intended outcome of the text area. |
| readonly | readonly | Provides instructions for making a text area read-only. |
| required | required | Indicates that a text area is needed or should be filled out |
| rows | number | Sets the number of lines visible in a text area |
| wrap | hard soft | Whenever submitted in a form, this indicates how text in a text area should be wrapped |
Browser Compatibility
| Element |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| <textarea> | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tag textarea Advantages
Some of these advantages include:
- The <textarea> tag allows users to enter and edit multiple lines of text, making it a flexible input mechanism for various types of user input.
- <textarea> supports screen readers and other assistive technologies, making it accessible to users with disabilities.
- <textarea> provides a consistent user experience across different web browsers and platforms, making it easier for developers to create web forms that work reliably for all users.
- The appearance and behavior of <textarea> can be customized using CSS, allowing developers to create input fields that match the look and feel of their website.
- <textarea> is supported by all modern web browsers, making it a reliable choice for creating web forms that work across different platforms and devices.
- <textarea> provides a large input area that allows users to enter a lot of text at once, making it ideal for longer form fields like comments, feedback, and message inputs.
