Table Of ContentP 1: HTML T
EE ART AGS AND ATTRIBUTES
CC
NN T
his section is a comprehensive reference
guide to all HTML tags, including stan-
EE
dard tags and those introduced by Net-
scape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. For each tag, we’ve provided sample
RR
code and indicated the following:
• The version of HTML with which the tag is associated
EE
• Whether browsers widely support the tag
• Whether to pair the tag with a closing tag
FF
For each tag’s attributes, we’ve provided sample code and indicated the following:
EE • The version of HTML with which the attribute is associated
• Whether browsers widely support the attribute
RR
If tags and attributes appear in the HTML 4 standard, in the HTML 3.2 standard, or
in the HTML 2 standard, the version number appears next to Standard. We indicate
tags or attributes that are specific to a browser, such as Internet Explorer. In general, a
variety of browsers recognize technology-specific tags, such as those for frames, and
SS other browsers rarely recognize browser-specific tags. HTML 2 was the first official
HTML standard. The number of tags that this standard defined is small compared
’’ with what is in use today. HTML 2 did not support tables, client-side image maps, or
frames. You can safely use all HTML 2 tags and attributes.
RR HTML 3.2 remains backward compatible with HTML 2, but provides many new
tags. Included in HTML 3.2 is support for tables, client-side image maps, embedded
applets, and many new attributes that help control alignment of objects within docu-
EE
ments. You can assume that most browsers support or soon will support all HTML 3.2
tags and attributes.
TT
HTML 4 remains backward compatible with other versions of HTML and expands
the capabilities to better address multiple languages and browser technologies such as
SS speech or Braille. Additionally, most formatting tags and attributes are deprecated
(strongly discouraged) in HTML 4 in favor of Style Sheets. At the time of writing, no
AA production browsers completely supported HTML 4, although Microsoft claimed that
Internet Explorer 4 would do so.
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1
<A> 3
Specifying that a tag or an attribute is Common means that approximately 75 to
80 percent of browsers in common use accommodate the tag. All recent versions of
both Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator recognize Common tags and attributes.
We indicate variables as follows:
Variable What You Substitute
n A number (such as a size)
URL Some form of address (as in a hyperlink)
#RRGGBB A color value or a color name
... Some other value, such as a title or a name
!
Standard: HTML 2
Common: Yes
Paired: No
Sample:
!–– ––> <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC (cid:210)-//W3C//DTD/ HTML 4
<
Final//EN(cid:211)>
Inserts comments into a document. Browsers A
do not display comments, although comments
are visible in the document source.
Standard: HTML 2
Common: Yes
<A>
Paired: Yes
Sample:
Also called the anchortag, identifies a link or a
<!(cid:209)(cid:209) Here is the picture of Fido (cid:209)(cid:209)>
location within a document. You commonly
<IMG SRC=(cid:211)fidopic.jpg(cid:211)>
use this tag to create a hyperlink, using the
!DOCTYPE HREF=attribute. You can also use the <A>tag to
< >
identify sections within a document, using the
Appears at the beginning of the document and NAME=attribute.
indicates the HTML version of the document.
Standard: HTML 2
Common: Yes
The HTML 2 standard is:
Paired: Yes
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC (cid:210)-//IETF//DTD HTML 2 Sample:
//EN(cid:211)>
<A HREF=(cid:211)http://www.raycomm.com/(cid:211)>Visit
The HTML 3.2 standard is:
RayComm</a>
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC (cid:210)-//W3C//DTD/ HTML 3.2
Attribute Information
Final//EN(cid:211)>
The HTML 4 standard is:
ACCESSKEY=“…”
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC (cid:210)-//W3C//DTD/ HTML 4
Final//EN(cid:211)> Assigns a key sequence to the element.
4 <A>
Standard: HTML 4 ID=“…”
EE Common: No
Sample: Assigns a unique ID selector to an instance of
the <A>tag. When you then assign a style to
CC <A HREF=(cid:211)help.html(cid:211) ACCESSKEY=(cid:211)H(cid:211)> that ID selector, it affects only that one
HELP</a>
instance of the <A> tag.
CHARSET=“…”
NN Standard: HTML 4
Common: No
Specifies character encoding of the data desig-
Sample:
nated by the link. Use the name of a character
EE set defined in RFC2045. The default value for <A HREF=(cid:211)next.html(cid:211) ID=(cid:210)123(cid:211)>Next</A>
this attribute, appropriate for all Western lan-
NAME=“…”
guages, is “ISO-8859-1”.
RR
Marks a location within the current document
Standard: HTML 4
Common: No with a name. The browser can then quickly
Sample: move to specific information within a docu-
EE
ment. You can link to existing named locations
<A HREF=(cid:211)help.html(cid:211) CHARSET=(cid:211)ISO-8859-1(cid:211)>
in a document by using a fragment URL, con-
HELP</a>
FF sisting of a pound sign (#) and the name (from
CLASS=“…” within that document), or by using a more
complete URL, including a pound sign and a
EE Indicates the style class to apply to the <A> name (from other documents or sites).
element.
Standard: HTML 2
Standard: HTML 4
RR Common: Yes
Common: No
Sample:
Sample:
<A HREF=(cid:211)#ingredients(cid:211)>Ingredients</A><BR>
<A HREF=(cid:211)next.html(cid:211) CLASS=(cid:211)casual(cid:211)> <A NAME=(cid:211)ingredients(cid:211)><h1>Ingredients</H1>
Next</A>
REL=“…”
SS COORDS=“x1, y1, x2, y2”
Specifies relationship hyperlinks.
Identifies the coordinates that define a click-
’’ able area. Measure coordinates, in pixels, from Standard: HTML 3.2
the top left corner of the image. Common: No
Sample:
RR
Standard: HTML 4
Common: No <A REV=(cid:211)made(cid:211)
Sample: HREF=(cid:211)mailto:[email protected](cid:211)>
EE
<A SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211) COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211) REV=“…”
HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211)>
Specifies reverse relationship hyperlinks.
TT
HREF=“URL”
Standard: HTML 3.2
Specifies the relative or absolute location of a Common: No
SS Sample:
file to which you want to provide a hyperlink.
<A REV=(cid:211)Previous(cid:211)
Standard: HTML 2
AA Common: Yes HREF=(cid:211)http://www.raycomm.com/firstdoc.htm(cid:211)>
Sample:
<A HREF=(cid:211)details.html(cid:211)>More Info</a>
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<ACRONYM> 5
SHAPE=“{RECT, CIRCLE, POLY}” Specifies text assigned to the tag that you can
use for context-sensitive help within the docu-
Specifies the type of shape used to represent
ment. Browsers may use this to show tool tips
the clickable area. SHAPE=RECTindicates that the
over the hyperlink.
shape is rectangular. SHAPE=CIRCLEspecifies
that the shape is a circle. SHAPE=POLYindicates Standard: HTML 4
that the shape is a polygon represented by Common: Yes
Sample:
three or more points.
<A HREF=(cid:211)page2.html(cid:211)
Standard: HTML 4
TITLE=(cid:211)Go to the next page(cid:211)>
Common: No
Sample: Other Attributes
<A SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211) COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211)
This tag also accepts the lang, dir, onClick,
HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211)>
onDblClick, onMouseDown, onMouseUp,
STYLE=“…” onMouseOver, onMouseMove, onMouseOut,
onKeyPress, onKeyDown, and onKeyUp attributes.
Specifies Style Sheet commands that apply to
See the Element-Independent Attributes sec-
the contents within the <A>tags.
tion of this reference for definitions and
Standard: HTML 4 examples.
Common: No
Sample:
<ACRONYM>
<A STYLE=(cid:211)background: red(cid:211)
HREF=(cid:211)page2.html(cid:211)>Page 2</A> Indicates an acronym in a document.
TABINDEX=“n” Standard: HTML 4
Common: No
Indicates where the element appears in the Paired: Yes
tabbing order of the document. Sample:
Standard: HTML 4 <P><ACRONYM>HTTP</ACRONYM> stands for
Common: No HyperText Transfer Protocol</P>
Sample:
Attribute Information
<A HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211) TABINDEX=(cid:211)4(cid:211)>Food</A>
TARGET=“…” CLASS=“…”
Indicates the name of a specific frame into Indicates which style class applies to the
which you load the linked document. You <ACRONYM>element.
establish frame names within the <FRAME>
Standard: HTML 4
tag. The value of this attribute can be any sin-
Common: No
gle word.
Sample:
Standard: HTML 4
<P><ACRONYM CLASS=(cid:211)casual(cid:211)>HTTP</ACRONYM>
Common: Yes
stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol</P>
Sample:
<A HREF=(cid:211)/frames/frame2.html(cid:211)
TARGET=(cid:211)pages(cid:211)>Go to Page 2</a>
TITLE=“…”
6 <ACRONYM>
ID=“…” <ADDRESS>
EE
Assigns a unique IDselector to an instance of
In a document, distinguishes an address from
the <ACRONYM>tag. When you then assign a
normal document text.
CC style to that IDselector, it affects only that one
instance of the <ACRONYM>tag. Standard: HTML 2
Common: Yes
NN Standard: HTML 4 Paired: Yes
Common: No Sample:
Sample:
I live at:
EE <P><ACRONYM ID=(cid:210)123(cid:211)>HTTP</ACRONYM> stands <ADDRESS>123 Nowhere Ave<BR>City, State
for HyperText Transfer Protocol</P> 12345</ADDRESS>
RR STYLE=“…” Attribute Information
Specifies Style Sheet commands that apply to
the definition. ALIGN={LEFT, RIGHT, CENTER}
EE
Standard: HTML 4 Indicates how the address text is aligned
Common: No within the document. ALIGN=LEFTpositions the
FF Sample: address text flush with the left side of the doc-
<P><ACRONYM STYLE=(cid:211)background: blue; ument. ALIGN=RIGHTpositions the address text
EE color: white(cid:211)>ESP</ACRONYM> stands for flush with the right side of the document.
extra-sensory perception.</P> ALIGN=CENTERcenters the address text between
the left and right edges of the document.
TITLE=“…”
RR
Standard: HTML 3.2; deprecated in
Specifies text assigned to the tag. For the favor of Style Sheets
<ACRONYM>tag, use this to provide the expan- Common: Yes
sion of the term. You might also use this Sample:
attribute for context-sensitive help within the
<ADDRESS ALIGN=(cid:211)CENTER(cid:211)>123 Anywhere
SS document. Browsers may use this to show tool St.</ADDRESS>
tips over the text.
CLASS=“…”
’’ Standard: HTML 4
Common: No Indicates the style class to apply to the
Sample: <ADDRESS>element.
RR
<P><ACRONYM TITLE=(cid:211)HyperText Transfer Standard: HTML 4
Protocol(cid:211)>HTTP</ACRONYM> stands for Common: No
EE HyperText Transfer Protocol</P> Sample:
Other Attributes <ADDRESS CLASS=(cid:211)casual(cid:211)>
123 First Ave.</ADDRESS>
TT
This tag also accepts the lang, dir, onClick,
onDblClick, onMouseDown, onMouseUp, ID=”…”
onMouseOver, onMouseMove, onMouseOut,
SS Assigns a unique ID selector to an instance of
onKeyPress, onKeyDown, and onKeyUp attributes.
the <ADDRESS>tag. When you then assign a
See the Element-Independent Attributes sec-
style to that ID selector, it affects only that one
AA tion of this reference for definitions and
instance of the <ADDRESS>tag.
examples.
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<APPLET> 7
Standard: HTML 4 Common: Yes
Common: No Paired: Yes
Sample: Sample:
<ADDRESS ID=(cid:210)123(cid:211)>1600 Pennsylvania <APPLET CODE=(cid:211)game.class(cid:211)>
</ADDRESS> It appears your browser does not
support Java. You(cid:213)re missing out on
STYLE=“…”
a whole world of neat things!
</APPLET>
Specifies Style Sheet commands that apply to
the contents within the <ADDRESS>tags. Attribute Information
Standard: HTML 4
Common: Yes ALIGN={LEFT, CENTER, RIGHT}
Sample:
Specifies the horizontal alignment of the Java
<ADDRESS STYLE=(cid:211)background: red(cid:211)>
applet displayed. For example, a value of CEN-
TITLE=“…” TERtells the browser to place the applet evenly
spaced between the left and right edges of the
Specifies text assigned to the tag. You might browser window.
use this attribute for context-sensitive help
within the document. Browsers may use this to Standard: HTML 3.2; deprecated in
HTML 4 in favor of Style
show tool tips over the address text.
Sheets.
Standard: HTML 4 Common: No
Common: No Sample:
Sample:
<APPLET ALIGN=CENTER
<ADDRESS TITLE=(cid:211)Address(cid:211)> CODE=(cid:211)(cid:211)http://www.raycomm.com/
checkers.class(cid:211)>
Other Attributes
You lose. Would you like to play again?
Hit the RELOAD button.<BR>
This tag also accepts the lang, dir, onClick,
</APPLET>
onDblClick, onMouseDown, onMouseUp,
onMouseOver, onMouseMove, onMouseOut, ALT=“…”
onKeyPress, onKeyDown, and onKeyUp attributes.
Displays a textual description of a Java applet,
See the Element-Independent Attributes sec-
if necessary.
tion of this reference for definitions and
examples. Standard: HTML 3.2
Common: No
Sample:
<APPLET>
<APPLET CODE=(cid:211)(cid:211)http://www.raycomm.com/
Embeds a Java applet object into an HTML checkers.class(cid:211)>ALT=(cid:211)A Game of checkers(cid:211)>
document. Typically, items that appear inside We could have had a relaxing game of
the <APPLET>tags allow browsers that do not checkers if your browser supported
Java applets. I(cid:213)ll gladly play with
support Java applets to view alternative text.
you if you enable Java applets or
Browsers that do support Java ignore all infor-
upgrade to a browser that supports
mation between the <APPLET>tags.
Java.
Standard HTML 3.2; deprecated in </APPLET>
HTML 4 in favor of <OBJECT>
8 <APPLET>
CODE=“URL” HSPACE=“n”
EE
Specifies the relative or absolute location of the Specifies an amount of blank space (measured
Java bytecode file on the server. in pixels) to the left and right of the Java
CC applet within the document.
Standard: HTML 3.2
Common: No Standard: HTML 3.2
Sample: Common: No
NN
Sample:
<APPLET CODE=(cid:211)http://www.raycomm.com/
checkers.class(cid:211)> <APPLET HSPACE=(cid:211)10(cid:211)
EE Dang! Your browser does not support CODE=(cid:211)/checkers.class(cid:211)>
Java applets. You may want to consider Sorry. Due to the fact your browser
installing a newer web browser. does not support embedded Java
RR </APPLET> applets, you(cid:213)ll have to play checkers
the old way today.
CODEBASE=“URL”
</APPLET>
EE Specifies the directory where you can find all NAME=“…”
necessary Java class files on the WWW server.
If you set this attribute, you need not use Assigns the applet instance a name so that
FF explicit URLs in other references to the class other applets can identify it within the
files. For example, you would not need an document.
EE explicit reference in the CODE=attribute. Standard: Internet Explorer
Standard: HTML 3.2 Common: No
Common: No Sample:
RR
Sample:
<APPLET SRC=(cid:211)/checkers.class(cid:211)
<APPLET NAME=(cid:211)Checkers(cid:211)>
CODEBASE=(cid:211)http://www.raycomm.com/ </APPLET>
checkers.class(cid:211) CODE=(cid:211)checkers.html(cid:211)>
PARAM NAME=“…”
If your browser supported inline Java
SS
applets, you(cid:213)d be looking at a very Passes program parameters to the Java applet.
attractive checkerboard right now.
</APPLET> Standard: HTML 3.2
’’
Common: No
HEIGHT=“n” Sample:
RR
Specifies the height (measured in pixels) of the <APPLET CODE=(cid:211)/checkers.class(cid:211)
Java applet object within the document. PARAM COLOR=(cid:211)red(cid:211)>
Since your browser does not support
EE Standard: HTML 3.2 inline Java applets, I win this game
Common: No of checkers by forfeit.
Sample: </APPLET>
TT
<APPLET HEIGHT=(cid:211)200(cid:211) CODE=(cid:211)checkers.class(cid:211)>
TITLE=”…”
Since your browser does not support inline
SS Java applets, we won(cid:213)t be playing checkers Specifies text assigned to the tag. You might
today. </APPLET> use this attribute for context-sensitive help
within the document. Browsers may use this to
AA show tool tips over the embedded applet.
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1
<AREA> 9
Standard: HTML 4 <AREA>
Common: No
Sample: Defines an area within a client-side image map
definition (see the <MAP>tag). It indicates an
<APPLET SRC=(cid:211)/java/thing.class(cid:211)
TITLE=(cid:211)Thing(cid:211)> area where visitors can choose to link to
another document.
VSPACE=“n”
Standard: HTML 3.2
Specifies the amount of vertical space (mea- Common: Yes
sured in pixels) above and below the Java Paired: No
applet. Sample:
Standard: HTML 3.2 <AREA SHAPE=RECT COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211)
Common: No HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211)>
Sample:
Attribute Information
<APPLET VSPACE=(cid:211)10(cid:211)
CODE=(cid:211)/checkers.class(cid:211)>
ALT=“…”
If you had a Java-capable browser, you
could be playing checkers!
Provides a textual description for visitors who
</APPLET>
have text-only browsers.
WIDTH=“n”
Standard: HTML 4
Specifies the width (measured in pixels) of a Common: Yes
Sample:
Java applet within a document.
<AREA ALT=(cid:211)This blue rectangle links to
Standard: HTML 3.2
blue.html(cid:211) HREF=(cid:211)blue.html(cid:211)>
Common: No
Sample: CLASS=“…”
<APPLET WIDTH=(cid:211)350(cid:211)
Indicates the style class you want to apply to
CODE=(cid:211)/checkers.class(cid:211)>
the <AREA>element.
Checkers can be a lot of fun, but it(cid:213)s
more fun if your browser supports Java. Standard: HTML 4
Sorry. Common: No
</APPLET> Sample:
Other Attributes <AREA CLASS=(cid:211)casual(cid:211) SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211)
COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211) HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211)>
This tag also accepts the lang, dir, onClick,
onDblClick, onMouseDown, onMouseUp, COORDS=“x1, y1, x2, y2”
onMouseOver, onMouseMove, onMouseOut,
Identifies the coordinates within an image
onKeyPress, onKeyDown, and onKeyUp attributes.
map that define the image map area. Measure
See the Element-Independent Attributes section
coordinates, in pixels, from the top left corner
of this reference for definitions and examples.
of the image.
Standard: HTML 3.2
Common: Yes
Sample:
<AREA SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211) COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211)
HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211)>
10 <AREA>
HREF=“URL” the shape of the image map area is rectangular.
EE SHAPE=CIRCLE specifies that the shape of the
Identifies the location of the document you
image map area is a circle. SHAPE=POLYindicates
want to load when the indicated image map
that the shape of the image map area is a poly-
CC area is selected.
gon represented by three or more points.
Standard: HTML 3.2
Standard: HTML 3.2
Common: Yes
NN Common: Yes
Sample:
Sample:
<AREA SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211) COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211)
<AREA SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211) COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211)
EE HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211)> HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211)>
ID=“…”
STYLE=“…”
RR Assigns a unique ID selector to an instance of
Specifies Style Sheet commands that apply to
the <AREA>tag. When you then assign a style to
the image map area.
that ID selector, it affects this instance of the
EE <AREA>tag. Standard: HTML 4
Common: No
Standard: HTML 4 Sample:
FF Common: No
Sample: <AREA SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211) COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211)
HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211) STYLE=(cid:211)background: red(cid:211)>
EE <AREA ID=(cid:210)123(cid:211)>
TABINDEX=“n”
NOHREF
Indicates where the image map area appears in
RR
Defines an image map area that does not link
the tabbing order of the document.
to another document.
Standard: HTML 4
Standard: HTML 3.2 Common: Yes
Common: Yes Sample:
Sample:
SS <AREA SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211) COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211)
<AREA SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211) COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211) HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211) TABINDEX=4>
NOHREF>
’’ TARGET=“…”
NOTAB
Identifies which named frame the linked doc-
RR Excludes the image map area from the tab
ument selected should load. For example,
order.
when visitors select an area within an image
Standard: Internet Explorer map, the linked document may load in the
EE
Common: Yes same frame or in a different frame, specified
Sample: by TARGET=(cid:211)...(cid:211).
TT
<AREA SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211) COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211) Standard: HTML 4
HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211) NOTAB> Common: Yes
Sample:
SS SHAPE=“{RECT, CIRCLE, POLY}”
<AREA SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211) COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211)
Specifies the type of shape used to represent HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211) TARGET=(cid:211)leftframe(cid:211)>
AA the image map area. SHAPE=RECTindicates that
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1
<BASE> 11
TITLE=“…” selector, it affects only that one instance of the
<B>tag.
Specifies text assigned to the tag. You might
use this attribute for context-sensitive help Standard: HTML 4
within the document. Browsers may use this to Common: No
Sample:
show tool tips over the image map area.
I work for <B ID=(cid:210)123(cid:211)>Widgets Inc.</B>
Standard: HTML 4
Common: No STYLE=“…”
Sample:
Specifies Style Sheet commands that apply to
<AREA SHAPE=(cid:211)RECT(cid:211) COORDS=(cid:211)20,8,46,30(cid:211)
the contents within the <B>tags.
HREF=(cid:211)food.html(cid:211) NAME=(cid:211)Food!(cid:211)>
Standard: HTML 4
Other Attributes
Common: No
This tag also accepts the lang and dirattrib- Sample:
utes. See the Element-Independent Attributes <B STYLE=(cid:211)background: red(cid:211)>
section of this reference for definitions and
TITLE=“…”
examples.
Specifies text assigned to the tag. You might
B
use this attribute for context-sensitive help
within the document. Browsers may use this to
show tool tips over the boldface
Standard: HTML 4
<B> Common: No
Sample:
Indicates text that should appear in boldface.
<B TITLE=(cid:211)Species(cid:211)>Dog Species</B>
Standard: HTML 2
Other Attributes
Common: Yes
Paired: Yes This tag also accepts the lang, dir, onClick,
Sample:
onDblClick, onMouseDown, onMouseUp,
The afternoon was <B>so</B> hot! onMouseOver, onMouseMove, onMouseOut,
onKeyPress, onKeyDown, and onKeyUp attributes.
Attribute Information See the Element-Independent Attributes section
of this reference for definitions and examples.
CLASS=“…”
Indicates which style class applies to the <B> <BASE>
element.
Identifies the location where all relative URLs
Standard: HTML 4 in your document originate.
Common: No
Sample: Standard: HTML 2
Common: Yes
<B CLASS=(cid:211)casual(cid:211)>Boom!</B> Paired: No
Sample:
ID=”…”
<BASE HREF=(cid:211)http://www.raycomm.com/info/(cid:211)>
Assigns a unique IDselector to an instance of
the <B>tag. When you assign a style to that ID
