<TEXTAREA> specifies a form field where user can enter large amounts of text. In most respects, <TEXTAREA> works like an <INPUT> field. It can have a name as well as a default value. It has to be concerned that <TEXTAREA> is a container tag, so it has a start tag as well as an ending tag.

In its simplest form, <TEXTAREA> requires NAME, COLS and ROWS attributes and nothing between <TEXTAREA ...> and </TEXTAREA>. Look at the code fragment demonstrated below

<FORM ACTION="../cgi-bin/mycgi.pl" METHOD=POST>

your comments:<BR>

<TEXTAREA NAME="comments" COLS=40 ROWS=6></TEXTAREA>

<P><INPUT TYPE=SUBMIT VALUE="submit">

</FORM>

Gives us this form...

your comments:

Matter between <TEXTAREA ...> and </TEXTAREA> are used as the default value

<FORM ACTION="../cgi-bin/mycgi.pl">

your response:<BR>

<TEXTAREA NAME="comments" COLS=40 ROWS=6>

Kamal said

: I think it's a great idea

: but it needs more thought

</TEXTAREA>

<P><INPUT TYPE=SUBMIT VALUE="submit">

</FORM>

gives us your response:

Figure: Using the TEXTAREA Tag

Contents are interpreted as text only; HTML markup is ignored. Theoretically user can type unlimited amounts of text into textarea field. In practice browser sets a limit which is usually no more than 32 K. If you want users to send in their latest novel, consider using some file upload mechanism.