HTML Level 1 and 2 Manual

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<OPTION> Element

Category: Forms
Period: HTML 2.0 Level 2
Status: core

Description

Defines one choice inside SELECT.

Syntax

<OPTION VALUE="lynx">Lynx

Attributes

SELECTED, VALUE.

Usage Guidelines

• Use VALUE when the server should receive a short stable code.
• Use SELECTED for the default choice.
• Put OPTION only inside SELECT.
• Make the visible text understandable without extra styling.

Common Mistakes

• If VALUE is omitted, browsers commonly submit the visible text, which may change.

Example Code

<SELECT NAME="level">
<OPTION VALUE="1">Level 1
<OPTION VALUE="2" SELECTED>Level 2
</SELECT>

Authoring Note

Write the document first, then test it in a graphical browser and a text browser. The page should remain understandable if images fail, colours are ignored, or the browser uses its own fonts.

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