INPUT

NAME

Symbolic name used when transferring the form's contents. This attribute is always needed and should uniquely identify this field.

TYPE

Defines the type of data the field accepts. Defaults to free text.

SIZE

Specifies the size or precision of the field according to its type.

MAXLENGTH

The maximum number of characters that will be accepted as input. This can be greater that specified by SIZE , in which case the field will scroll appropriately. The default is unlimited.

VALUE

The initial value for the field, or the value when checked for checkboxes and radio buttons. This attribute is required for radio buttons.

SRC

A URL or URN specifying an image - for use only with TYPE=IMAGEMAP.

ALIGN

Vertical alignment of the image - for use only with TYPE=IMAGEMAP.

Propsed

CHECKED

When present indicates that a checkbox or radio button is selected.

DISABLED

When present indicates that this field is temporarily disabled. Browsers should show this by "greying it" out in some manner.

ERROR

When present indicates that the field's initial value is in error in some way, e.g. because it is inconsistent with the values of other fields. Servers should include an explanatory error message with the form's text.

Types

TEXT

Single line text entry fields. Use the SIZE attribute to specify the visible width in characters, e.g. SIZE="24" for a 24 character field. The MAX attribute can be used to specify an upper limit to the number of characters that can be entered into a text field, e.g. MAX=72 . Use the TEXTAREA element for text fields which can accept multiple lines (see below).

HIDDEN

No field is presented to the user, but the content of the field is sent with the submitted form. This value may be used to transmit state information about client/server interaction.

CHECKBOX

Used for simple Boolean attributes, or for attributes which can take multiple values at the same time. The latter is represented by a number of checkbox fields each of which has the same NAME .

RADIO

For attributes which can take a single value from a set of alternatives. Each radio button field in the group should be given the same NAME .

SUBMIT

This is a button that when pressed submits the form. It offers authors control over the location of this button. You can use an image as a submit button by specifying a URL with the SRC attribute.

RESET

This is a button that when pressed resets the form's fields to their initial values as specified by the VALUE attribute. You can use an image as a reeset button by specifying a URL with the SRC attribute.

Proposed types

RANGE

This allows you to specify an integer range with the MIN and MAX attributes, e.g. MIN=1 MAX=100 . Users can select any value in this range.

INT

For entering integer numbers, the maximum number of digits can be specified with the SIZE attribute (excluding the sign character), e.g. size=3 for a three digit number.

FLOAT

For fields which can accept floating point numbers.

SCRIBBLE

A field upon which you can write with a pen or mouse. The size of the field in millimeters is given as SIZE= width , height. The units are absolute as they relate to the dimensions of the human hand, rather than pixels of varying resolution. The scribble may involve time and pressure data in addition to the basic ink data. You can use scribble for signatures or sketches. The field can be initialised by setting the SRC attribute to a URL which contains the ink *2 . The VALUE attribute is ignored.

AUDIO

This provides a way of entering spoken messages into a form. Browsers might show an icon which when clicked pops-up a set of tape controls that you can use to record and replay messages. The initial message can be set by specifying a URL with the SRC attribute. The VALUE attribute is ignored.

Obsolete types

DATE

Fields which can accept a recognized date format.

URL

For fields which expect document references as URLs or URNs.

IMAGE

This allows you to specify an image field upon which you can click with a pointing device. The SRC and ALIGN attributes are exactly the same as for the IMG and IMAGE elements. The symbolic names for the x and y coordinates of the click event are specified with .x and .y for the given with the NAME attribute. The VALUE attribute is ignored.