HTML form tag

From http://www.w3schools.com (Copyright Refsnes Data)

# HTML <form> tag

## Example

A simple HTML form with two input fields and one submit button:

<form action="form_action.asp" method="get"> First name: <input type="text" name="fname" /><br /> Last name: <input type="text" name="lname" /><br /> <input type="submit" value="Submit" /> </form>

Try it yourself! (more examples at the bottom of this page)

## Definition and Usage

The <form> tag is used to create an HTML form for user input.

A form can contain input elements like text fields, checkboxes, radio-buttons, submit buttons and more. A forms can also contain select menus, textarea, fieldset, legend, and label elements.

Forms are used to pass data to a server.

## Browser Support

The <form> tag is supported in all major browsers.

## Differences Between HTML and XHTML

NONE

## Tips and Notes

Note: Form is a block-level element, and creates a line break before and after itself.

## Required Attributes

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

Attribute | Value | Description | DTD
--- | --- | --- | ---
action | URL | A URL that defines where to send the data when the submit button is pushed | STF

## Optional Attributes

Attribute | Value | Description | DTD
--- | --- | --- | ---
accept | list of content types | A comma separated list of content types that the server that processes this form will handle correctly | STF
accept-charset | charset_list | A comma separated list of possible character sets for the form data. The default value is "unknown" | STF
enctype | mimetype | The mime type used to encode the content of the form | STF

method

get
post

The HTTP method for sending data to the action URL. Default is get.

method="get": This method sends the form contents in the URL: URL?name=value&name=value. Note: If the form values contains non-ASCII characters or exceeds 100 characters you MUST use method="post".

method="post": This method sends the form contents in the body of the request. Note: Most browsers are unable to bookmark post requests.

STF

name | form_name | Defines a unique name for the form | TF

target

_blank
_self
_parent
_top

Where to open the target URL.

- _blank - the target URL will open in a new window
- _self - the target URL will open in the same frame as it was clicked
- _parent - the target URL will open in the parent frameset
- _top - the target URL will open in the full body of the window

TF

## Standard Attributes

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

For a full description, go to Standard Attributes.

## Event Attributes

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

For a full description, go to Event Attributes.

## Try-It-Yourself Demos

Form with checkboxes
A form with two checkboxes, and a submit button.

Form with radiobuttons
A form with two radio buttons, and a submit button.

Send e-mail from a form
How to send e-mail from a form.

From http://www.w3schools.com (Copyright Refsnes Data)