Forms Course

 

Let's Identify The Fields

The next step is to add some INPUT fields to your form. These fields are for information to be gathered from the person completing the form before sending it to you.

Here is a list of INPUT TYPE fields:

  • TEXT: For data entry. This is the default.
  • CHECKBOX : A button to check to select one or more items.
  • RADIO : A button to select to make a choice, eg: yes or no.
  • NUMBER : For data entry of a number.
  • PASSWORD : For data entry that displays asterisks in place of text.
  • HIDDEN : Not seen on the form itself. It's VALUE is submitted.
  • IMAGE : For selecting an image to be submitted.
  • SUBMIT : For creating a button to submit the form.
  • RESET : For creating a button to reset (clear) the form.

To be added along with the INPUT TYPE are some attributes. These are used in conjunction with the INPUT TYPE. Not all are used, it depends on the INPUT TYPE you are using.

Here is a list of attributes to can be added (when applicable):

  • NAME : Field name to identify the data items.
  • VALUE : Assigns some default text to a TEXT or HIDDEN field.
  • SIZE : Determines the size displayed for a TEXT (or menu) field.
  • MAXLENGTH : Limits the number of characters the user can input.

There are two other types of fields that you might use in your form. One is a larger text box to allow the user to type multiple lines of text to be submitted. This large text field is called a TEXTAREA.

Another type of field is a SELECTED menu. This will allow the user to select an item from a menu to be submitted with the form.

Now that we have mentioned all the different types of fields available to use in your form, we will take them one at a time and try them out.