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usemap (HTML attribute)

Spec
Depr. Version
No HTML 4
Browser support (more…)
IE5.5+ FF1+ SA1.3+ OP9.2+
Full Full Full Full

Syntax

usemap="#map name"

Description

The usemap attribute tells the browser which of the map elements in the document it should refer to. The hotspots defined (using the area element) act as overlays on the object. These areas are similar to links (created with the a element), and allow the user to click to go to the page identified in the respective area’s href attribute. They’re also keyboard-navigable.

The usemap attribute is only used in the object element when the type of object is an image (.gif, .jpg, or .png).

Example

This usemap attribute references a map named "dogmap":

<p>
  <object data="giant-dog.jpg" usemap="#dogmap"
      height="225" width="300" border="0"></object>
  <map name="dogmap" id="dogmap">
    <area shape="circle" coords="216,120,24"
        href="http://tirauinfo.homestead.com/TheBigDog.html"
        alt="Click on the nose for more info about this big dog!"/>
  </map>
</p>

Value

This attribute takes as its value a reference to the map’s name attribute in form of an "#" character plus the "name", like so:

usemap="#dogmap"

Compatibility

Internet Explorer Firefox Safari Opera
5.5 6.0 7.0 1.0 1.5 2.0 1.3 2.0 3.0 9.2 9.5
Full Full Full Full Full Full Full Full Full Full Full

It causes no compatibility issues, and has excellent support across all tested browsers.

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