Textarea in HTML - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Create a Simple Feedback Form with a Textarea

📖 Scenario: You are building a simple feedback form for a website. Users will type their comments or suggestions in a box.

🎯 Goal: Build a basic HTML form that includes a <textarea> element where users can enter their feedback.

📋 What You'll Learn

Use semantic HTML5 elements

Include a <textarea> with a label for accessibility

Set the rows and cols attributes on the textarea

Add a submit button

Ensure the form is responsive and accessible

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Feedback forms are common on websites to collect user opinions, bug reports, or suggestions.

💼 Career

Knowing how to build accessible and semantic forms is essential for front-end web development roles.

1

Create the basic HTML form structure

Write the HTML code to create a <form> element with a <label> for feedback and a <textarea> with id="feedback". Set the rows attribute to 4 and the cols attribute to 50.

HTML

Hint

Use a <label> with a for attribute matching the id of the <textarea>.

2

Add a submit button to the form

Add a <button> element inside the <form> with type="submit" and the text Send Feedback.

HTML

  Your Feedback:
  
  

Hint

The submit button should be inside the form and have type="submit".

3

Add accessibility features to the textarea

Add the aria-label="Feedback text area" attribute to the <textarea> element to improve accessibility.

HTML

  Your Feedback:
  
  
  Send Feedback

Hint

The aria-label attribute helps screen readers describe the textarea.

4

Wrap the form in a semantic <main> element and add a heading

Wrap the entire <form> inside a <main> element. Above the form, add an <h1> heading with the text Feedback Form.

HTML

  Feedback Form
  
    Your Feedback:
    
    Send Feedback
  
  

Hint

The <main> element is used for the main content. The heading helps users understand the page purpose.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the <textarea> tag in HTML?

easy

A. To display a single line of text that cannot be edited.

B. To add a button that submits a form.

C. To create a multi-line text input box for users to type in.

D. To insert an image into the webpage.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the <textarea> tag function

   The <textarea> tag is designed to allow users to enter multiple lines of text, unlike <input> which is usually single line.

2. Step 2: Compare options with the tag's purpose

   Options A, C, and D describe other HTML elements or functions, not multi-line text input.

3. Final Answer:

   To create a multi-line text input box for users to type in. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Textarea = multi-line input [OK]

Hint: Textarea means multi-line text box for typing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing <textarea> with <input> for single line input
• Thinking <textarea> is for buttons or images
• Assuming <textarea> is read-only

2. Which of the following is the correct way to set the size of a <textarea> using HTML attributes?

easy

A. <textarea rows='4' cols='50'></textarea>

B. <textarea length='50' height='4'></textarea>

C. <textarea size='large'></textarea>

D. <textarea width='300' height='100'></textarea>

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall valid <textarea> size attributes

   The rows and cols attributes define the visible height and width in lines and characters.

2. Step 2: Check each option for correct attribute usage

   <textarea rows='4' cols='50'></textarea> uses rows and cols correctly. Options A, B, and C use invalid or non-existent attributes.

3. Final Answer:

   <textarea rows='4' cols='50'></textarea> -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Rows and cols set size [OK]

Hint: Use rows and cols to size textarea in HTML [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using width and height attributes directly on textarea
• Using non-standard attributes like size or length
• Confusing CSS properties with HTML attributes

3. What will be displayed in the browser for this HTML snippet?

<label for='msg'>Message:</label>
<textarea id='msg' rows='3' cols='20'>Hello World</textarea>

medium

A. A textarea box with no text inside and no label.

B. Only the text 'Hello World' displayed as plain text, no textarea box.

C. An error message because 'for' attribute is invalid on label.

D. A label 'Message:' and a textarea box showing 'Hello World' inside it with 3 rows and 20 columns.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand label and textarea relationship

   The label with for='msg' links to the textarea with id='msg', so the label 'Message:' appears next to the textarea.

2. Step 2: Check textarea content and size

   The textarea shows the default text 'Hello World' inside it, sized with 3 rows and 20 columns.

3. Final Answer:

   A label 'Message:' and a textarea box showing 'Hello World' inside it with 3 rows and 20 columns. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Label linked and textarea shows default text [OK]

Hint: Label with for matches textarea id; default text shows inside [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking label text appears inside textarea
• Assuming textarea is empty if text is inside tags
• Believing 'for' attribute causes error

4. Identify the error in this HTML code snippet:

<textarea rows='5' cols='30'>Enter your comment here</textarea

medium

A. Missing closing angle bracket '>' at the end of the closing textarea tag.

B. Incorrect use of rows and cols attributes.

C. Textarea cannot have default text inside it.

D. Textarea tag should be self-closing.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the closing tag syntax

   The closing </textarea tag is missing the closing '>' character, which is required to properly close the tag.

2. Step 2: Validate other parts of the code

   The rows and cols attributes are correctly used, default text inside textarea is allowed, and textarea is not self-closing.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing closing angle bracket '>' at the end of the closing textarea tag. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Proper closing tag syntax needed [OK]

Hint: Always close tags fully with '>' [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting the closing '>' in tags
• Thinking textarea must be self-closing
• Believing default text inside textarea is invalid

5. You want to create a form with a textarea that is accessible and responsive. Which of the following is the best practice?

hard

A. Use a placeholder inside the textarea instead of a label, and fix width with pixels.

B. Use a <label> linked to the textarea with for and id, set rows and cols, and style width with CSS using relative units.

C. Do not use a label, set rows and cols to zero, and rely on default size.

D. Use inline styles with fixed pixel width and no label for simplicity.

Solution

1. Step 1: Ensure accessibility with label and linking

   Using a <label> with for attribute matching the textarea's id helps screen readers and keyboard users.

2. Step 2: Use rows and cols for basic size and CSS with relative units for responsiveness

   Rows and cols define visible size, while CSS with relative units like em or % makes the textarea adapt to different screen sizes.

3. Final Answer:

   Use a <label> linked to the textarea with for and id, set rows and cols, and style width with CSS using relative units. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Label + rows/cols + responsive CSS = best practice [OK]

Hint: Always label textarea and use relative CSS units for responsiveness [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using placeholder instead of label for accessibility
• Fixing width with pixels causing poor responsiveness
• Omitting label making form less accessible