CSS :read-write Selector

Posted in CSS Tutorial

Updated on Sep 18, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 3 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 0

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

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

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.