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thead (HTML element)

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

Syntax

<thead>
</thead>

Description

In a simple table, the first row may contain table headers (th elements), and that may be all you need to do to mark up the table. However, you may find that wrapping a thead around the header row—particularly if you have a table that has multiple header rows at its top—gives you scope for more control via the thead attributes; you might also make use of this element as a “hook” from which to apply CSS styles to the header area of your table.

By default, a thead will not affect the display of the table in any way.

Example

The thead element wraps around the row containing table headers (th elements):

<table summary="Interest Rates">
  <caption>Interest Rates</caption>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Account Type</th>
      <th>Interest Rate</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Smart</td>
      <td>From 2%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Young Saver</td>
      <td>From 1.6%</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Use This For …

This element is used for grouping the top layer(s) of header cells.

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
Partial Partial Partial Partial Partial Partial Partial Partial Partial Partial Partial

By itself—without the application of any of the element-specific attributes detailed below—the presence of a thead makes no visual difference to the table. For a true indication of this element’s compatibility, you should refer to each individual attribute to see what works and what fails.

In this Section

  • align
    aligns text in table cells contained inside thead element
  • char
    sets the character to which header element contents should align
  • charoff
    defines the number of characters by which cell contents will be offset from the char
  • valign
    aligns the text vertically in table cells contained within the thead element

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Related reference material

  • tbody
    logically groups elements that make the body of a table’s content
  • tfoot
    logically groups elements that comprise the footer area of a table’s content

User-contributed notes

ID:
#1
Contributed:
by AutisticCuckoo
Date:
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:30:39 GMT

A user agent may also choose to render the table header on each page when printing a large table.

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