CSS :read-write Selector

Posted in CSS Tutorial

Updated on Oct 27, 2024

By Mari Selvan

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4 mins

1 Comment

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

Introduction

The :read-write selector in CSS is used to select elements that are editable by the user.

This pseudo-class is typically applied to form elements such as text inputs, <textarea>, and other content-editable elements where the user can enter or modify the data. It helps in providing visual feedback or different styling for fields that can be written to.

Syntax

The signature of the :read-write Selector is as follows:

Syntax

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:read-write {
    /* CSS properties */
}

The :read-write pseudo-class is typically used for elements that are editable and can accept input, like text fields, but it excludes elements that are marked as readonly or disabled.

Example

Here is an example of how to use the :read-write selector in CSS:

HTML

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<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>CSS :read-write Selector Example</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
    <form>
        <input type="text" id="username" placeholder="Enter your username">
        <textarea id="bio" placeholder="Write about yourself"></textarea>
        <input type="text" id="readonly" value="This is read-only" readonly>
        <input type="submit" value="Submit">
    </form>
</body>
</html>

CSS

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/* Style for read-write elements */
:read-write {
    background-color: #f0f8ff;
    border: 2px solid blue;
}

/* Style for read-only elements */
:read-only {
    background-color: #f5f5f5;
    border: 2px solid gray;
}

In this example:

Editable form fields like the username input and textarea have a blue border and a light background.
The read-only field has a gray border and a light gray background, indicating it's not editable.

Usage Tips

The :read-write pseudo-class only targets elements that are editable and writable by the user. This includes form fields that are not readonly or disabled.
You can combine the :read-write pseudo-class with other form-specific pseudo-classes like :focus for enhanced styling on focused, writable elements.

Common Pitfalls

Be aware that :read-write applies to editable fields, but if an element has the readonly or disabled attribute, it will not be affected by this pseudo-class. Use :read-only for non-editable fields.
:read-write may behave differently in certain form elements, such as select dropdowns, so be sure to test in different browsers and environments for consistent behavior.

Conclusion

The :read-write selector is a handy pseudo-class for styling editable fields, allowing developers to visually distinguish between elements that users can interact with and those they cannot. By applying this pseudo-class, you can enhance user experience and provide clear visual cues for writable content.