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<!-->
<!DOCTYPE>
<a>
<abbr>
<acronym>
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<basefont>
<bdo>
<big>
<blockquote>
<body>
<br>
<button>
<caption>
<center>
<cite>
<code>
<col>
<colgroup>
<dd>
<del>
<dfn>
<dir>
<div>
<dl>
<dt>
<em>
<fieldset>
<font>
<form>
<frame>
<frameset>
<head>
<h1> - <h6>
<hr>
<html>
<i>
<iframe>
<img>
<input>
<ins>
<kbd>
<label>
<legend>
<li>
<link>
<map>
<menu>
<meta>
<noframes>
<noscript>
<object>
<ol>
<optgroup>
<option>
<p>
<param>
<pre>
<q>
<s>
<samp>
<script>
<select>
<small>
<span>
<strike>
<strong>
<style>
<sub>
<sup>
<table>
<tbody>
<td>
<textarea>
<tfoot>
<th>
<thead>
<title>
<tr>
<tt>
<u>
<ul>
<var>

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HTML <option> tag

Definition and Usage

The option element defines an option in the drop-down list. 

Differences Between HTML and XHTML

In HTML the <option> tag has no end tag.

In XHTML the <option> tag must be properly closed.

Tips and Notes

Note: The <option> tag can be used without any attributes, but you usually need the value attribute, which indicates what is sent to the server.

Note: Use this tag in conjunction with the select element, elsewhere it is meaningless. 

Example

Source Output
<select>
<option value ="volvo">Volvo</option>
<option value ="saab">Saab</option>
<option value ="opel" selected="selected">Opel</option>
<option value ="audi">Audi</option>
</select>

Optional Attributes

DTD indicates in which DTD the attribute is allowed. S=Strict, T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.

Attribute Value Description DTD
disabled disabled Specifies that the option should be disabled when it first loads STF
label text Defines a label to use when using <optgroup> STF
selected selected Specifies that the option should appear selected (will be displayed first in the list) STF
value text Defines the value of the option to be sent to the server STF

Standard Attributes

id, class, title, style, dir, lang, xml:lang, tabindex

For a full description, go to Standard Attributes.

Event Attributes

onclick, ondblclick, onmousedown, onmouseup, onmouseover, onmousemove, onmouseout, onkeypress, onkeydown, onkeyup

For a full description, go to Event Attributes.

Try-It-Yourself Demos

Simple drop down box
How to create a simple drop-down box on an HTML page. A drop-down box is a selectable list.

Another drop down box
How to create a simple drop-down box with a pre-selected value.

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