<input type="file">: How to Use This HTML Value
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Learn more - Value of
- How To Define Input Type In HTML (All The Values And Attributes)
- What does
<input type="file">: How to Use This HTML Value
do? - Defines a file upload box with a browse button.
Code Example
<form action="myform.cgi">
<input type="file" name="fileupload" value="fileupload" id="fileupload">
<label for="fileupload"> Select a file to upload</label>
<input type="submit" value="submit">
</form>
In a form, the file
value of the type
attribute allows you to define an input
element for file uploads. This displays a browse button, which the user can click on to select a file on their local computer.
Once a file has been selected, the file name appears next to the button.
Claire is seasoned technical writer, editor, and HTML enthusiast. She writes for HTML.com and runs a content agency, Red Robot Media.
Browser Support for file
All values of type
Value name | Notes |
---|
button | Defines a button-like input. |
checkbox | Defines a checkbox, which the user can toggle on or off. |
file | Defines a file upload box with a browse button. |
hidden | Defines a field within a form that is not visible to the user. |
image | Defines an image that is clicked to submit a form. |
password | Displays an obfuscated password entry field. |
radio | Defines a circular selection button in a form. |
reset | Defines a button on a form that will return all fields to their default values. |
submit | Defines a button that is clicked to submit a form. |
text | Defines a text entry field in a form. |
All attributes of input
Attribute name | Values | Notes |
---|
step | | Specifies the interval between valid values in a number-based input. |
required | | Specifies that the input field is required; disallows form submission and alerts the user if the required field is empty. |
readonly | | Disallows the user from editing the value of the input. |
placeholder | | Specifies placeholder text in a text-based input. |
pattern | | Specifies a regular expression against which to validate the value of the input. |
multiple | | Allows the user to enter multiple values into a file upload or email input. |
min | | Specifies a minimum value for number and date input fields. |
max | | Specifies a maximum value for number and date input fields. |
list | | Specifies the id of a <datalist> element which provides a list of autocomplete suggestions for the input field. |
height | | Specifies the height of an image input. |
formtarget | | Specifies the browsing context in which to open the response from the server after form submission. For use only on input types of "submit" or "image". |
formmethod | | Specifies the HTTP method (GET or POST) to be used when the form data is submitted to the server. Only for use on input types of "submit" or "image". |
formenctype | | Specifies how form data should be submitted to the server. Only for use on input types "submit" and "image". |
formaction | | Specifies the URL for form submission. Can only be used for type="submit" and type="image". |
form | | Specifies a form to which the input field belongs. |
autofocus | | Specifies that the input field should be in focus immediately upon page load. |
maxlength | | Specifies the maximum number of characters that can be entered in a text-type input. |
src | | Defines the source URL for an image input. |
type | button checkbox file hidden image password radio reset submit text
| Defines the input type. |
value | | Defines an initial value or default selection for an input field. |
size | | Specifies the width of the input in characters. |
name | | Specifies the name of an input element. The name and value of each input element are included in the HTTP request when the form is submitted. |
language | | Was used to indicate the scripting language used for events triggered by the input. |
accesskey | | Defines a keyboard shortcut for the element. |
disabled | | Disables the input field. |
checked | | Specifies whether a checkbox or radio button form input should be checked by default. |
border | | Was used to specify a border on an input. Deprecated. Use CSS instead. |
autocomplete | | Specifies whether the browser should attempt to automatically complete the input based on user inputs to similar fields. |