Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

HTML HTML Forms Choosing Options Checkboxes

How to determine what to write in the attribute "value" and "name" inside the element input type?

Hi, I'm still a little confused as to what to write, whenever I get to the part "value" and "name" section in the input element. What should we write in the value and name section? I understand the "id" part that it will be used later on for CSS styling ( I hope I got this one right) but for value and name, it still always confuse me.

2 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points

The "name" attribute is used to identify the value of a form element when it is submitted. It should generally be a single word that represents what the value is used for. As an example, a text box that has a label of "What is your favorite color?" might have a "name" attribute set to "color".

The "value" is generally optional, and used to give the input a default value that will be shown in the control, and submitted if the user does not change it.

Thank you so much!!

Nicholas Wallen
Nicholas Wallen
12,278 Points

So if "value" is optional, in common practice is it just not included?

I am having trouble understanding the purpose of value and name, and when it is actually necessary to use them.

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points

Yes, it is common for the "value" to not be included, in which case the input area will be initially empty.

The "name", on the other hand, is always required on an input element that will be submitted in a form. It's how the sever-side process identifies which input was filled in. If you are not implementing both ends yourself, you will be given specific names to use for each form field.

Nick Curtis
Nick Curtis
2,064 Points

Steven: Thanks for the explanation. I had been wondering the same thing.