<dialog>

The HTML <dialog> element represents a dialog box or other interactive component, such as an inspector or window. <form> elements can be integrated within a dialog by specifying them with the attribute method="dialog". When such a form is submitted, the dialog is closed with a returnValue attribute set to the value of the submit button used.

The ::backdrop CSS pseudo-element can be used to style behind a <dialog> element, for example to dim inaccessible content whilst a modal dialog is active.

Attributes

This element includes the global attributes. The tabindex attribute must not be used on the <dialog> element.

open

Indicates that the dialog is active and available for interaction. When the open attribute is not set, it shouldn't be shown to the user.

Examples

Example 1

<dialog open>
  <p>Greetings, one and all!</p>
</dialog>

Example 2

<!-- Simple pop-up dialog box, containing a form -->
<dialog id="favDialog">
  <form method="dialog">
    <section>
      <p><label for="favAnimal">Favorite animal:</label>
      <select id="favAnimal">
        <option></option>
        <option>Brine shrimp</option>
        <option>Red panda</option>
        <option>Spider monkey</option>
      </select></p>
    </section>
    <menu>
      <button id="cancel" type="reset">Cancel</button>
      <button type="submit">Confirm</button>
    </menu>
  </form>
</dialog>

<menu>
  <button id="updateDetails">Update details</button>
</menu>

<script>
  (function() {
    var updateButton = document.getElementById('updateDetails');
    var cancelButton = document.getElementById('cancel');
    var favDialog = document.getElementById('favDialog');

    // Update button opens a modal dialog
    updateButton.addEventListener('click', function() {
      favDialog.showModal();
    });

    // Form cancel button closes the dialog box
    cancelButton.addEventListener('click', function() {
      favDialog.close();
    });

  })();
</script>

Specifications

Browser compatibility

[1] See bug 840640.

See also

• The close event
• The cancel event
• HTML forms guide.