HTML Level 1 and 2 Manual

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<SELECT> Element

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

Description

Creates a selection list in a form.

Syntax

<SELECT NAME="section">
<OPTION>Home
<OPTION>Manual
</SELECT>

Attributes

NAME, SIZE, MULTIPLE.

Usage Guidelines

• Use SELECT when the allowed answers are known.
• Use OPTION for each choice.
• Use MULTIPLE only when the server can handle several values.
• Keep option text short; drop-down controls were narrow.

Common Mistakes

• Do not forget NAME or the selection may not be submitted.

Example Code

<SELECT NAME="browser">
<OPTION>Lynx
<OPTION>Mosaic
<OPTION>Netscape
</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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