How to use a textarea (a multi-line text input field) in HTML?


To add a multi-line text input, use the HTML <textarea> tag. You can set the size of a text area using the cols and rows attributes. It is used within a form, to allow users to input text over multiple rows.

Here are the attributes of <textarea> tag −

AttributeValueDescription
autofocusHTML5autofocusSpecifies that on page load the text area should automatically get focus.
ColsnumberSpecifies the width of the textarea based on the number of visible character widths
DisableddisabledSpecifies the width of the textarea based on the number of visible character widths.
formHTML5form_idSpecifies one or more forms.
maxlengthHTML5numberSpecifies the maximum number of characters in textarea.
NametextAssigns a name to the input control.
placeholderHTML5textSpecifies a short hint of the value in textarea.
ReadonlyreadonlySets the input control to read-only. It won't allow the user to change the value. The control however, can receive focus and are included when tabbing through the form controls.
requiredHTML5requiredSpecifies that a textarea is required.
RowsnumberSpecifies the height of the textarea based on the number of visible lines of text. If there's more text than this allows, users can scroll using the textarea's scrollbars.
wrapHTML5hard softSpecifies the text to be wrapped in textarea.

 

Textarea

Example

You can try to run the following code to use a textarea in HTML −

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
   <head>
      <title>HTML textarea Tag</title>
   </head>

   <body>
      <form action = "/cgi-bin/hello_get.cgi" method = "get">
         What improvements you want in college?
         <br>

         <textarea rows = "4" cols = "40" name = "description">
            Enter details here...
         </textarea>
         <br>

         <input type = "submit" value = "submit" />
      </form>

   </body>
</html>

Sai Subramanyam
Sai Subramanyam

Passionate, Curious and Enthusiastic.

Updated on: 14-May-2020

6K+ Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started
Advertisements