HTML <textarea> Tag
Example
A simple text area:
<textarea rows="2" cols="20">
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</textarea> |
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Definition and Usage
The <textarea> tag defines a multi-line text input control.
A text area can hold an unlimited number of characters, and the text renders in a fixed-width font (usually Courier).
The size of a textarea can be specified by the cols and rows attributes, or even better; through CSS' height and width properties.
Browser Support
The <textarea> tag is supported in all major browsers.
Differences Between HTML and XHTML
NONE
Required Attributes
DTD indicates in which DTD the attribute is allowed. S=Strict, T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| cols |
number |
Specifies the visible width of a text-area |
STF |
| rows |
number |
Specifies the visible number of rows in a text-area |
STF |
Optional Attributes
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| disabled |
disabled |
Specifies that a text-area should be disabled |
STF |
| name |
name_of_textarea |
Specifies the name for a text-area |
STF |
| readonly |
readonly |
Specifies that a text-area should be read-only |
STF |
Standard Attributes
The <textarea> tag supports the following standard attributes:
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| accesskey |
character |
Specifies a keyboard shortcut to access an element |
STF |
| class |
classname |
Specifies a classname for an element |
STF |
| dir |
rtl
ltr |
Specifies the text direction
for the content in an element |
STF |
| id |
id |
Specifies a unique id for an element |
STF |
| lang |
language_code |
Specifies a language code for the content in an element |
STF |
| style |
style_definition |
Specifies an inline style for an element |
STF |
| tabindex |
number |
Specifies the tab order of an element |
STF |
| title |
text |
Specifies extra information about an element |
STF |
| xml:lang |
language_code |
Specifies a language code for the content in an element, in
XHTML documents |
STF |
More information about Standard Attributes.
Event Attributes
The <textarea> tag supports the following event attributes:
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| onblur |
script |
Script to be run when an element loses focus |
STF |
| onchange |
script |
Script to be run when an element change |
STF |
| onclick |
script |
Script to be run on a mouse click |
STF |
| ondblclick |
script |
Script to be run on a mouse double-click |
STF |
| onfocus |
script |
Script to be run when an element gets focus |
STF |
| onmousedown |
script |
Script to be run when mouse button is pressed |
STF |
| onmousemove |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves |
STF |
| onmouseout |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves out of an
element |
STF |
| onmouseover |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves over an
element |
STF |
| onmouseup |
script |
Script to be run when mouse button is released |
STF |
| onkeydown |
script |
Script to be run when a key is pressed |
STF |
| onkeypress |
script |
Script to be run when a key is pressed and released |
STF |
| onkeyup |
script |
Script to be run when a key is released |
STF |
| onselect |
script |
Script to be run when an element is selected |
STF |
More information about Event Attributes.
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