ExampleAn HTML text area: <textarea rows="3" cols="20"> A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. </textarea> | Browser Support |
1. 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 text area is specified by the cols and rows attributes.
2. Differences Between HTML and XHTML
None
3. Required 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| cols | number | Specifies the visible width of a text area | STF |
| rows | number | Specifies the visible number of lines in a text area | STF |
4. Optional Attributes
| Attribute | Value | Description | DTD |
|---|---|---|---|
| disabled | disabled | Specifies that a text area should be disabled | STF |
| name | text | Specifies the name for a text area | STF |
| readonly | readonly | Specifies that a text area should be read-only | STF |
5. 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 |
6. 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 |
