HTML <datalist> Tag
The HTML <datalist>
tag represents a set of option elements that represent predefined options for other controls.
The tag can be used for providing an "autocomplete" feature on form elements. It lets you provide a list of predefined options to the user as they input data.
For example, if a user begins entering text into an input
field, a list would drop down with prefilled values that they could choose from. These values are invisible to the user, except those that are relevant to what the user is typing at that moment.
The <datalist>
tag was introduced in HTML 5.
Syntax
The <datalist>
tag is written as <datalist id="">
</datalist>
with any number of <option>
tags inserted between the start and end tags. The id
attribute provides the ID of the <datalist>
element. This ID can be referred to by an <input>
element that contains a list
attribute. The list
attribute references the value of the <datalist>
element's id
attribute.
Like this:
Examples
Basic tag usage
Legacy Support
To provide support for browsers that don't support the <datalist>
element, simply place a <select>
element inside the <datalist>
element.
Attributes
Attributes can be added to an HTML element to provide more information about how the element should appear or behave.
The <datalist>
element accepts the following attributes.
Attribute | Description |
---|---|
None |
Global Attributes
The following attributes are standard across all HTML elements. Therefore, you can use these attributes with the <datalist>
tag , as well as with all other HTML tags.
accesskey
autocapitalize
class
contenteditable
data-*
dir
draggable
hidden
id
inputmode
is
itemid
itemprop
itemref
itemscope
itemtype
lang
part
slot
spellcheck
style
tabindex
title
translate
For a full explanation of these attributes, see HTML 5 global attributes.
Event Handlers
Event handler content attributes enable you to invoke a script from within your HTML. The script is invoked when a certain "event" occurs. Each event handler content attribute deals with a different event.
onabort
onauxclick
onblur
oncancel
oncanplay
oncanplaythrough
onchange
onclick
onclose
oncontextmenu
oncopy
oncuechange
oncut
ondblclick
ondrag
ondragend
ondragenter
ondragexit
ondragleave
ondragover
ondragstart
ondrop
ondurationchange
onemptied
onended
onerror
onfocus
onformdata
oninput
oninvalid
onkeydown
onkeypress
onkeyup
onlanguagechange
onload
onloadeddata
onloadedmetadata
onloadstart
onmousedown
onmouseenter
onmouseleave
onmousemove
onmouseout
onmouseover
onmouseup
onpaste
onpause
onplay
onplaying
onprogress
onratechange
onreset
onresize
onscroll
onsecuritypolicyviolation
onseeked
onseeking
onselect
onslotchange
onstalled
onsubmit
onsuspend
ontimeupdate
ontoggle
onvolumechange
onwaiting
onwheel
Most event handler content attributes can be used on all HTML elements, but some event handlers have specific rules around when they can be used and which elements they are applicable to.
For more detail, see HTML event handler content attributes.