HTML <del> Tag

The HTML <del> tag represents deleted text in an HTML document.

Marking text as deleted is often used for determining differences between multiple versions of the same document. Browsers will typically strike a line through deleted text.

Syntax

The <del> tag is written as <del></del> with the deleted text inserted between the start and end tags.

Like this:

Examples

Basic Usage Example - A "To Do" List

The <del> tag can be used in a "to do" list to markup items that have been done.

Like this:

Date & Time

The datetime attribute allows you to add a date and (optionally) a time. This attribute is mainly intended for private use (e.g. by server-side scripts collecting statistics about a site's edits), but it could potentially be displayed to users.

Here, we can add date and time information to items that have been crossed off our "to do" list.

Citations

You can add a citation using the cite attribute. The value of this attribute must be the URL of a document that explains the change. This attribute is not intended for readers of the document. Rather, it is intended for private use (e.g. by server-side scripts collecting statistics about a site's edits).

Inserting New Text

Deleted text is often accompanied by inserted text. This often happens when out-dated information needs to be deleted and new information is added. To insert new text, use the <ins> tag.

Deleting Table Rows &/or Columns

To delete a table row or column, you need to apply the <del> tag to the content within those rows/columns. You can't simply enclose a <tr> tag or <td> tag within <del> tags.

Delete Table Row

Delete Table Row

Attributes

Attributes can be added to an HTML element to provide more information about how the element should appear or behave.

The <del> element accepts the following attributes.

Global Attributes

The following attributes are standard across all HTML elements. Therefore, you can use these attributes with the <del> 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.