Creating Multi-Line Text Input Areas with HTML `<textarea>`: Building User-Friendly Forms

Learn how to implement multi-line text input fields in your HTML forms using the `<textarea>` element. This tutorial covers key attributes (`rows`, `cols`, `wrap`, `maxlength`, `placeholder`), styling options, and best practices for creating user-friendly and functional text input areas.

Creating Multi-Line Text Input Areas with the HTML `<textarea>` Element

Understanding the `<textarea>` Element

The HTML `<textarea>` element creates a multi-line text input control, commonly used in forms to collect user input such as comments, feedback, or longer text entries. Unlike single-line text input fields (`<input type="text">`), the `<textarea>` element allows users to enter and edit multiple lines of text. The text within a `<textarea>` is typically rendered using a monospace font, enhancing readability for code or other text-based content.

Key Attributes of the `<textarea>` Element

Several attributes control the `<textarea>` element's behavior and appearance:

Attribute	Description
`autofocus`	Gives the text area focus when the page loads.
`cols`	Specifies the visible width in characters.
`dirname`	Specifies the name of the directory for file uploads (when used with a file input).
`disabled`	Disables the text area.
`form`	Specifies the form the text area belongs to (useful when the text area is not directly nested within the form element).
`maxlength`	Sets the maximum number of characters allowed.
`name`	Specifies the name of the text area (used when submitting the form). This is essential for the server-side script to process the data correctly.
`placeholder`	Displays placeholder text within the text area before a user enters any text.
`readonly`	Makes the text area read-only (cannot be edited).
`required`	Makes the text area mandatory (must be filled out before submission).
`rows`	Specifies the visible number of lines.
`wrap`	Specifies how text should wrap (`hard` or `soft`).

The `<textarea>` element also supports standard HTML global and event attributes.

Example: Basic Text Area

Example Text Area


<textarea name="review" rows="4" cols="50">
  Enter your review here...
</textarea>

Disabling Resizing

By default, users can often resize the text area. You can disable this using CSS.

Example: Disabling Resizing


textarea {
  resize: none;
}