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Difference between <datalist> and <select> tags in HTML
Both the <datalist> and <select> tags are typically used when selecting an item from a list. However, the key distinction between the two is that the <datalist> tag allows the user to add their own input as an option with the use of the <input> element, but the <select> tag does not offer this functionality.
Let's dive into the article to get a better understanding of the difference between the <datalist> and <select> tags in HTML.
HTML <datalist> tag
This tag specifies the predefined options for a <input> element. Additionally, the HTML <input> element receives the autocomplete feature from this tag. The user will see pre-defined alternatives beginning with the letter or word they have entered in the input element of the <datalist> tag. Note that the ID of the tag must match the <input> element attribute in order to use the <datalist> tag.
Syntax
Following is the syntax for HTML <datalist> tag
<datalist id="…."> <option value="…"> <option value="…."> </datalist>
Example
Following is the example where we are going to use the <datalist> tag.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body style="background-color:#D5F5E3">
<label for="tutorial"> Select The Course: </label>
<input list="tutorial" name="course" id="course">
<datalist id="tutorial">
<option value="HTML">
<option value="AI">
<option value="Cyber Security">
<option value="Big Data">
</datalist>
<p style="color: #DE3163;"> Note:User Can Select The Option OR Enter Course On Their Own. </p>
</body>
</html>
On running the above code, the output window will pop up, displaying the input field on the webpage. When the user starts entering the input, it will provide a dropdown list to choose an option on his wish list, or else he can enter the input manually.
HTML <select> tag
This tag adds a drop-down menu list to a webpage, which is primarily utilized in the online forms that we all employ to gather user input. The <option> tag is part of the <select> tag and is used to display the drop-down list's options. The tag has several attributes, including <name>, <autofocus> and etc.
Syntax
Following is the syntax for HTML <select> tag
<select id="…"> <option value="..">text</option> <option value="…">text</option> </select>
Example
In the following example we are going to use the <select> tag.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body style="background-color:#E8DAEF">
<label for="tutorial"> Choose The Car: </label>
<select id="tutorial">
<option value="bmw">BMW</option>
<option value="rs7">RS7</option>
<option value="audi">AUDI</option>
<option value="bugati">BUGATI</option>
</select>
</body>
</html>
When the above code gets executed, it will generate an output consisting of user input along with a drop-down list on the webpage.
Difference between <datalist> and <select>
Let's look into the some of the key difference between <datalist> and <select> tag.
<datalist> tag |
<select> tag |
|---|---|
The user has the option of selecting any item from the provided list or providing their own input. |
From the list of available options, the user may select just one. |
This tag is not a type of form input. |
This tag is a type of form input. |
The user can quickly submit a choice, receive suggestions, and then select one. |
To choose an option, the user has look through a lengthy list. |
The options list does not impose any limitations on the user. |
A user may only be given a limited number of alternatives. |
It offers auto-complete functionality. |
The auto-complete function is absent. |
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