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HTML <textarea> readonly Attribute

❮ HTML <textarea> tag

Example

A read-only text area:

<textarea readonly>
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</textarea>
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Definition and Usage

The readonly attribute is a boolean attribute.

When present, it specifies that a text area should be read-only.

In a read-only text area, the content cannot be changed, but a user can tab to it, highlight it and copy content from it.

The readonly attribute can be set to keep a user from using a text area until some other condition has been met (like selecting a checkbox, etc.). Then, a JavaScript is required to remove the readonly value, and make the text area editable.


Browser Support

Attribute
readonly Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML5

NONE.


Differences Between HTML and XHTML

In XHTML, attribute minimization is forbidden, and the readonly attribute must be defined as <textarea readonly="readonly">.


Syntax

<textarea readonly>

❮ HTML <textarea> tag