HTML Form Elements

I am sure you have filled out an online form recently. Be it for an advertisement before a YouTube video or helping your friends do their project survey. Forms have become an integral part of our online experience nowadays. If you want to create your own forms using HTML, HTML form elements come in very handy.

Being a software developer myself, I use HTML form elements to create different HTML form styles very often to make dynamic and interactive forms.

What are HTML Form Elements?

HTML form elements are components that help to create interactive forms on web pages. These elements enable users to enter data, make selections, and send information to a server for processing. Common HTML form elements include.

• <input>
• <textarea>
• <button>
• <label>

We can also use form attributes in HTML like HTML form background color to further customize our forms. HTML form CSS style can also be used to make our forms look more attractive.

Different types of HTML Form Elements

There are many HTML form elements that we can use to customize our HTML forms just the way we like them. Different HTML form elements range from buttons, texts, etc. 

Here, I have discussed the different HTML form elements with form tag in HTML with example.

<input> element

The input elements are used to provide the different types of fields into which the user can put the desired information into the form. There are many types of HTML form input type. They vary from the likes of text, email, numbers, etc.

Now that you have a basic idea of how the input element works in HTML forms let me give you an example to explain how to use it in your project.

Source: Online gdb Compiler

Code:

In the above example,

• We have created a registration form named Registration Form Example. 
• In the example, we have 3 fields. We have defined the type of fields in the input type. 
• The first field is Username with input type text.
• The second field is Email and the input type is also email. 
• The third field is Password and the input type is password as well.
•  Predefining the input type makes sure that the user cannot provide any other type of information. For example, if the input type is email, then the user has to follow the basic structure of an email which is abc@xyz.com.
  

<label> element

The <label> element in HTML puts the name on fields such as a <input>, <textarea>, <select>, or <button> element. This helps the user immensely while using the form. It gives the user a clear picture of where to put in which information, making their lives easier. It works somewhat like the name attribute in HTML form.

To explain it better, let me share an example of an HTML form label.

Source: Online gdb Compiler

Code:

In the above example,

• Each <label> element is associated with its corresponding <input> element using the for attribute and the id attribute. For example, <label for="username"> is associated with <input id="username"> by using the same value for the for and id attributes.

• The text within the <label> element provides a description of the associated form control. This helps the users to know where to fill which information.

<textarea> element

The <textarea> HTML element creates a multiline text input field within a form. It is used to give a space to users to enter and edit several lines of text, such as paragraphs, comments, and other long text material.

Let me explain with the help of an example.

Source: Online gdb Compiler

Code:

In the above example,

• The rows and columns attributes specify the textarea elements’ initial size. In this scenario, rows="4" specifies the beginning height to display four lines of text, while cols="50" specifies the initial width to support 50 characters per line.

• The <label> element adds a descriptive label to the textarea, making it easier to use. In this case, it is “Enter your message”.

• The needed property makes the textarea field necessary, meaning that users must add a message before submitting the form.
  

<button> element

The <button> element in HTML creates a clickable button within a form or anyplace else in a webpage where user interaction is required. It can be used for a variety of purposes, including submitting forms or simply browsing another website.

Let me explain with the help of an example.

In the above example,

• The <button> element serves as a submit button within a <form>. When clicked, it sends the form data to the server using the action and method properties.

• The button's type="submit" property specifies it as the form's submit button.
  

<datalist> element

It is used to give a list of predefined alternatives for user input in HTML with a <input> element of type text or numeric. It enables users to select values from a dropdown list or suggest possibilities while typing into the input area. This is used to create an HTML form with select option.

Let me explain this element with the help of an example.

Code:

In the above example,

• The <input> element with type="text" is used to create a text input field where users can type a browser name.

• The input element's list="fruits" attribute references the <datalist> with the id browsers. This connects the input field to the data list's predefined HTML form select option.

• The <datalist> element includes a list of <option> elements, each with a specified value that users can select from a dropdown list.

• As users type into the input area, the browser will propose options from the datalist based on their input, making it easy to choose from predetermined values.
  

<fieldset> and <legend> elements

HTML's <fieldset> and <legend> elements group related form controls and provide a visual label or title. This combination is especially useful for organizing and structuring forms that contain multiple input fields.

Let me explain with the help of an example.

Code:

In the above example,

• The <fieldset> element groups related form controls. In this case, it groups the input fields for personal information (first name, last name, and email address).

• The <legend> element is positioned within the <fieldset> and acts as a title or label for the grouped controls. In this example, the fieldset is labeled "Personal Information."

• The <label> (HTML form legend) element adds a descriptive label to the input field, enhancing accessibility and usability.

• The <input> elements collect user input for the form, while the submit button (<input type="submit">) sends the form data to the specified server endpoint.
  

Summing Up

HTML form elements are crucial to make interactive HTML forms that are eye-catching. Nowadays, we have an extremely short attention span, and if something does not grab our attention in an instant, we tend not to use it. The different form attributes in HTML and HTML form elements help us catch the attention of the user. You can now implement HTML forms in your next HTML project and make it more interesting.

This tutorial has given you a basic understanding of HTML form elements and their subsequent HTML form tags list. However, if you want to know more advanced concepts of HTML programming I would definitely recommend checking out certified courses from a trusted platform. 

One such platform is upGrad. Their courses are in collaboration with some of the best universities around the world. Their courses are also curated by some of the best professors in the field.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are HTML form elements?

HTML form elements serve as building blocks for building interactive forms or elements where users can fill in information. They contain text input areas, checkboxes, radio buttons, dropdown menus, buttons, and more. These elements are used within the <form> tag.

2. What are some common HTML form elements?

Some of the common HTML form elements are.

• legend
• Input
• Text Area
• Submit Button
  

3. How do I create a form in HTML?

To create a form in HTML, we use the <from> tag. We can use the different HTML form elements to customize to our liking.

4. What is the purpose of the <input> element?

The input element in HTML form is used to give a field where the user can provide data. There are various input types like text, numbers, email, and radio( used for HTML form radio button).

5. What is the <textarea> element used for?

HTML's <textarea> element enables multiline text input. Unlike the <input> element, which is better suited for single-line text input, it supports bigger amounts of text, including paragraphs or blocks of content.

6. Can I style HTML form elements?

Yes, you can use CSS to style HTML form elements, making them more visually appealing or better suited to your website's design. You can use styles to change the color, size, font, background, border, and spacing of form elements.