The date picker in HTML is a crucial and user-friendly input feature that streamlines the process of selecting dates in web forms. It enables users to easily select dates from a calendar interface, thereby enhancing user experience and reducing the likelihood of input errors.
In this tutorial, we will delve into a comprehensive explanation of the HTML date picker; however, we will begin by covering the basics of the HTML date element.
What is the HTML Date?
The HTML Date input element is frequently utilized in HTML forms for capturing dates. Users have the option to input the date manually in text format or utilize the date picker tool provided by the browser. It's essential to note that not all browsers offer support for a built-in date picker widget.
Syntax:
<input type="date">
The above syntax specifies the date input field.
What is an HTML Date Picker?
The enhanced HTML Date Picker is an upgraded iteration of the HTML Date input, a component within the HTML5 standard. It simplifies the process for users to enter dates by providing a calendar-like interface where they can conveniently select a date. Upon selecting a date from the interactive calendar, it promptly populates the input field with the chosen date. The formatting of the date is dependent on the user's web browser.
Syntax:
<input type="date">
The syntax provided above enables you to pick a date from a calendar interface.
It is possible to develop a date picker that allows users to choose both the date and time simultaneously.
Syntax:
<input type="datetime-local">
The syntax provided above also enables you to choose the specific time.
Advantages of using the HTML Date Picker
- User-Friendly: The date picker lets the user enter an appropriate date by choosing from a pop-up calendar, making adding a date more comfortable and making this date picker widget user-friendly. It lowers the risk of typographical errors that can be made by entering the date manually.
- Mobile-friendly: The HTML date picker is designed to adapt to different screen sizes, which makes it easy for mobile users to enter dates.
- Validation: The HTML date picker validates dates to be entered in a standardized format. It stops users from entering invalid dates and decreases input mistakes.
- Accessibility: Users with disabilities can have a better experience as support for many assistive technologies, such as keyboard navigation and screen readers, is available.
- Customization: Web designers can customize the behaviour of the HTML date picker using CSS and JavaScript , which are easy to implement.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: The HTML date picker is supported by various web browsers such as iOS, Windows, macOS, and Android .
Attributes of HTML Date Picker
The HTML date selector relies on attributes that are supported by each element, such as:
- Minimum attribute: This feature establishes the lowest permissible date range to confine the selection within a defined scope.
Syntax:
min= "value"
- The max attribute is utilized to define the upper limit of a date range, ensuring that selections are limited to a particular range.
Syntax:
max= "value"
- Step: This attribute is used to set a step value, which means the date picker will allow users to choose a date after the number of steps you set.
- Required: This attribute is used to make date input compulsory.
- Value: This attribute prefills the input field with a default date.
Examples of the HTML Date Picker
Let's delve into a detailed comprehension of the HTML date picker by exploring practical examples.
Example 1:
In this instance, we are going to generate an HTML date selector.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Example 1 of the HTML Date Picker</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Example-1 of the HTML Date Picker</h1>
<h2>Select a Date</h2>
<label for="date">Choose a date:</label>
<input type="date" id="date" name="date">
</body>
</html>
Output:
The HTML date picker enables users to select a specific day, month, and year using a calendar interface.
Example 2:
In this instance, we will generate an HTML date selector featuring a "min" attribute.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Example-2 of the HTML Date Picker</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Example-2 of the HTML Date Picker with "min" attribute</h1>
<h2>Enter your date of birth</h2>
<label for="DOB">DOB:</label>
<input type="date" id="dob" name="dob" min="1990-10-05">
</body>
</html>
Output:
The calendar restricts you to selecting dates starting from the earliest option available, which is "1990-10-05".
Example 3:
In this instance, we will generate an HTML date selector with a "max" parameter.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Example-3 of the HTML Date Picker</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Example-3 of the HTML Date Picker with "max" attribute</h1>
<h2>Enter your date of birth</h2>
<label for="DOB">DOB:</label>
<input type="date" id="dob" name="dob" max="2020-11-01">
</body>
</html>
Output:
The highest possible date available for selection on the calendar is "2020-11-01", as shown below.
Example 4:
In this instance, we will generate an HTML date selector featuring a "step" attribute.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Example-4 of the HTML Date Picker</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Example-4 of the HTML Date Picker with "step" attribute</h1>
<h2>Select an appointment date (weekly intervals)</h2>
<form>
<fieldset>
<legend>Appointment</legend>
<label for="date">Date:</label>
<input type="date" id="date" name="date" step="7"> <br>
</fieldset>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
</body>
</html>
Output:
Below, you'll notice that the step attribute is configured to "7" for the weekly interval. This setting enables users to pick the date corresponding to the seventh day of every week directly from the calendar interface.
Example 5:
In this instance, we are going to generate an HTML date selector with a mandatory "required" attribute.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Example-5 of the HTML Date Picker</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Example-5 of the HTML Date Picker with "required" attribute</h1>
<h2>Enter your date of birth</h2>
<form>
<label for="DOB">DOB:</label>
<input type="date" id="dob" name="dob" required> <br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
</body>
</html>
Output:
It is required to choose a date as indicated below; failure to do so will trigger a notification stating, "Kindly complete this field."
Example 6:
In this instance, we are going to generate an HTML date selector with a "value" parameter.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Example-6 of the HTML Date Picker</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Example-6 of the HTML Date Picker with "value" attribute</h1>
<form>
<label for="DOB">DOB:</label>
<input type="date" id="dob" name="dob" required value="2023-10-01"> <br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
</body>
</html>
Output:
Below, the date is already set to "2023-10-01".
Example 7:
An HTML form will be designed to include a date picker along with a time selection feature.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Example-7 of the HTML Date Picker</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Example-7 of the HTML Date Picker with time as well</h1>
<form>
<label for="DOB">DOB:</label>
<input type="datetime-local" id="dob" name="dob"> <br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
</body>
</html>
Output:
Below, you will find that you have the option to choose a date using the calendar and input a specific time.
Browser Compatibility
Following are the browsers that support the HTML Date Picker:
- Google Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
Conclusion
In this tutorial, you have learned about the HTML date picker, a tool that enables users to select dates from a calendar interface, simplifying the process of entering dates effortlessly.
You have learned about input attributes that can be utilized to enhance the functionality of dates, as demonstrated through examples.