Some Lesser-Known CSS Properties for Form Input Fields


CSS caret-color, pointer-events and tab-size are some of the lesser-known properties for form input fields. caret-color property allows us specify color of blinking caret while pointer-events can help prevent the users to find an element. Finally, tab-size sets the amount of white space used by tab.

The following examples illustrate some of these properties.

The tab-size property

CSS tab-size property allows us to set the amount of whitespace used in tabs. The width of the tab character can be customized easily. The value set for the tab size is in spaces. Let us see the syntax.

tab-size: value;

The value above is the number value set for tab space.

Let’s say, we have set the tab size to 32 using the tab-size property −

tab-size: 32;

The tab size for the firefox is also set −

-moz-tab-size: 32;

Example

Let us see the example −

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <style>
      body {
         display: flex;
         flex-direction: column;
      }
      p {
         white-space: pre;
      }
      p:last-of-type {
         tab-size: 32;
         -moz-tab-size: 32;
      }
   </style>
</head>
<body>
   <p>Ut sed felis lobortis, fermentum magna vitae, imperdiet lectus.</p>
   <p>Ut sed felis lobortis, fermentum magna vitae, imperdiet lectus.</p>
</body>
</html>

The pointer-events property

To set whether an element reacts to pointer events or not, use the pointer-events property. The following is the syntax −

pointer-events: value;

The value can be

  • auto − The element reacts to pointer events. Default.

  • none − The element does not react to pointer events

Example

Let us see the example −

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <style>
      body {
         display: flex;
         flex-direction: column;
         background-color: mistyrose;
      }
      p {
         white-space: pre;
      }
      p:last-of-type {
         tab-size: 32;
         -moz-tab-size: 32;
         pointer-events: none;
      }
   </style>
</head>
<body>
   <p>Ut sed felis lobortis, fermentum magna vitae, imperdiet lectus.</p>
   <p>Ut sed felis lobortis, <a href=#>fermentum magna vitae</a>, imperdiet lectus.</p>
</body>
</html>

The caret-color property

To set the color of the cursor (caret) i.e., the visible marker, use the caret-color property. This is the caret in input fields, textareas, etc. The following is the syntax −

caret-color: value;

The value can be

  • auto − The default color is used

  • color − Set your own color the for caret

Example

Let us see the example −

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <style>
      form {
         padding: 2%;
         margin: 3%;
         background-color: cadetblue;
         text-align: center;
      }
      form:focus-within {
         box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.6);
      }
      input {
         caret-color: navy;
         font-size: 40px;
         font-weight: large;
      }
   </style>
</head>
<body>
   <form>
      <select>
         <option>.</option>
         <option>..</option>
         <option>...</option>
      </select>
      <input type="text" value="glee" />
   </form>
</body>
</html>

Updated on: 27-Dec-2023

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