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by Ian Lloyd

disabled (HTML attribute)

Browser support full matrix
IE5.5+ FF1+ Saf1.3+ Op9.2+
Full Full Full Full
Spec
Depr. Version
No HTML 4
disabled="disabled"

Example

The disabled attribute stops this checkbox input from being usable:
<form>
<input type="checkbox" name="chknewsletter" id="chknewsletter"
checked="checked" disabled="disabled" />
<label for="chknewsletter">Send me the monthly newsletter</label>
</form>

Description

The disabled attribute stops the user from interacting with the form control. In this case, it stops the user clicking on the checkbox, or tabbing to it with the keyboard, and therefore the user is prevented from activating this control.

The most likely use for this attribute is to disable a checkbox until such a time as some other condition has been met, at which point JavaScript would be required to removed the "disabled" value, making the form control usable again.

Value

"disabled" is only possible value (if it should be enabled, simply omit the attribute entirely).

Compatibility

IE5.5Full
6.0Full
7.0Full
Firefox1.0Full
1.5Full
2.0Full
Safari1.3Full
2.0Full
3.0Full
Opera9.2Full
9.5Full

Causes no compatibility issues. It has excellent support across all tested browsers.

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