Input field (multi-line)

Synonyms: Text field, text area, multi-line text input, multiline plain text edit control

See also: Input field (one-line), Rich Text Editor

Multi-line input fields allow for the input of long text contents (see DIN EN ISO 9241-161: 8.45).

A multi-line input field is usually a rectangular area of the page that contrasts with the background due to a border, for example. The border can have a control point for the scaling of the input field. A multi-line input field can have scrollbars. The requirements of the control point and scrollbars are described in the appropriate sections.

The requirements concerning the input field are described in the “input field” section. Here, only the additional requirements are described which result from the fact that it is an input field with several lines.

The requirements concerning the input field are described in the “input field” section. Here, only the additional requirements are described which result from the fact that it is an input field with several lines.

The requirements concerning the input field are described in the “input field” section. Here, only the additional requirements are described which result from the fact that it is an input field with several lines.

• JAWS: [label] input field [instruction on contained value] [instruction on text input]
• NVDA: [label] multi-line input field [contents of the current line]
• Windows Narrator: [label] edit [value]

Please note:

• With JAWS, the value of the input field is imperceptible when focusing with TAB. The content is only output line by line when navigating through the field.
• With NVDA, the value of the input field is only partially perceptible when focusing with TAB, because only the current line is output. The content is only output line by line when navigating through the field.
• If the input field is empty, with JAWS and Windows Narrator, the difference between a one-line and multi-line input field is imperceptible.
• If the value of the input field contains empty lines and the text cursor is in an empty line, when focusing with TAB with NVDA, it is imperceptible that the input field contains a value because “empty” is output only.

Note: Multi-line input fields should only be used if very long inputs are expected or if the inputting of paragraph breaks (ENTER key) must be enabled. Otherwise, a one-line input field should be used, because the accessibility of the multi-line input fields is poorer for users of screen readers.

The input field should be implemented with the HTML element <textarea>.
The initial value is communicated through the text content of the element.
The label of the input field should be linked to the input field with the <label for=ID> element.
The maximum and minimum required length of the value can be determined with maxlength and minlength. Neither of the values are perceptible visually or with the use of assistive technology. If they are used, a corresponding instruction should be provided at the input field.
The visual size of the input field can be set using the cols and rows attributes. It is recommended that the size is defined using CSS instead, so that the multi-line input field can be responsively designed to avoid horizontal scrolling at a screen width of 320 px. The initial size of the input field should be sufficiently large, as keyboard users are not able to change the size of the field – the control point automatically displayed by the browser can only be operated with a pointing device.
The placeholder attribute can be used for a placeholder. However, it is recommended to display input instructions next to the field and to link them to the input field using aria-describedby. The placeholder attribute has the following disadvantages:

• The contrasts are often insufficient (in respect to either the background or the text in the input field, which makes it difficult to distinguish between the placeholder and the value).
• The placeholder is not displayed as soon as the field contains a value.

An input field can be marked as disabled (disabled) and read-only (readonly). An input field can be marked as a required field with required.

Further information: 4.10.11 The textarea element - HTML Standard (whatwg.org)

If the input field is not implemented with the HTML element, it is also necessary to take account of the following:

• The role is communicated with role=textbox and the ARIA attribute aria-multiline=true.
• The labeling of the input field can take place with aria-label or aria-labelledby.
• The value of the input field is derived from the text content of the element which is marked with role=textbox.
• The input field can be marked as a required field with aria-required, as disabled with aria-disabled, and as read-only with aria-readonly.
• For a placeholder, aria-placeholder is used.
• The presentation of the input field should be verified in Windows High Contrast mode.
• The visible input field and the programmatically focused element should have the same position and size.

Further information: textbox role - Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA) 1.2 (w3.org) (External Link)

Information about this article

Date:

21.10.2024

License:

CC-BY-SA 4.0

Version:

1.0

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