HTML form input allows users to manually enter information into a web page. Text fields, radio buttons, checkboxes, and submit buttons are common input controls. Proper spacing and labeling improve user understanding. Submit buttons are usually at the bottom of the form. Only one form can be used per page.
HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) form input is a way to get manually entered information into a web page. If a website designer wants to give the user the ability to enter information, he must use an HTML form to do so. There are several HTML form input controls that can be placed on web pages, some of which are text fields, radio buttons, checkboxes, and submit buttons. When creating a web page, some ways of arranging these HTML form input components can greatly help a user understand what the page does, although they are not explicitly mandated by the code itself.
When creating an HTML text field or group of text fields, proper spacing and labeling make it much easier for the user to understand. Text fields do not contain labels, so they must be aligned with a separate label. If a label is added to a text field, it can be placed anywhere around the text field. Most users expect to see this label next to or above the associated text field, without too much space between the label and the field. From a developer’s point of view, using the label text as the internal name of the text field can help with future maintenance of the form.
Following similar practices for both radio buttons and checkboxes can also help in user understanding. Both radio buttons and checkboxes must have separate labels, just like text fields. Usually, they are found in groups, although it isn’t necessary. In general, keeping radio buttons and checkboxes in separate groups is easier for users to understand than mixing radiobuttons and checkboxes in the same group. In these groups, if one of the boxes or buttons is selected, placing the selected item as the first item in the group helps users clearly identify the selection.
Submit buttons send all information contained in input controls from the web page to the server for processing. Usually, they’re hardcoded to say “submit,” although this text can be changed by a developer. Users expect to see these buttons at the bottom of a form most of the time, although sometimes they’re at the top of a form instead. Placing the button at the bottom of a form and styling it to be clearly visible is usually enough to help a user see it.
A page containing HTML form input is usually intended to contain a single form with a single opportunity to submit its data. HTML does not allow for nesting of forms, and the same HTML form input controls cannot be used in multiple forms. If multiple submissions are required, users typically expect multiple forms and multiple batches of HTML form inputs. An experienced developer can tie these modules together seamlessly.
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