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HTML <textarea> Tag

Example

An HTML text area:

<textarea rows="2" cols="20">
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</textarea>

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Browser Support

Internet Explorer Firefox Opera Google Chrome Safari

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

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.

Differences Between HTML and XHTML

NONE

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

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

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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