ExampleA drop-down list with five options: <select> <option>Option 1</option> <option>Option 2</option> <option>Option 3</option> <option>Option 4</option> <option>Option 5</option> </select> | Browser Support |
1. Definition and Usage
The <option> tag defines an option in a select list.
<option> elements go inside a <select> element.
2. Tips and Notes
Tip: If you have a long list of options, you can group related options with the <optgroup> tag.
3. Differences Between HTML and XHTML
In HTML the <option> tag has no end tag.
In XHTML the <option> tag must be properly closed.
4. Optional Attributes
DTD indicates in which HTML 4.01/XHTML 1.0 DTD the attribute is allowed. S=Strict, T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.
| Attribute | Value | Description | DTD |
|---|---|---|---|
| disabled | disabled | Specifies that an option should be disabled | STF |
| label | text | Specifies a shorter label for an option | STF |
| selected | selected | Specifies that an option should be pre-selected when the page loads | STF |
| value | text | Specifies the value to be sent to a server | STF |
5. Standard Attributes
The <option> tag supports the following standard attributes:
| Attribute | Value | Description | DTD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
6. Event Attributes
The <option> tag supports the following event attributes:
| Attribute | Value | Description | DTD |
|---|---|---|---|
| onclick | script | Script to be run on a mouse click | STF |
| ondblclick | script | Script to be run on a mouse double-click | 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 |
