Creating web forms – Adobe Dreamweaver CC 2014 v.13 User Manual
Page 591
Creating web forms
About web forms
Form objects
Create an HTML form
About dynamic form objects
Insert or change a dynamic HTML form menu
Make existing HTML form menus dynamic
Display dynamic content in HTML text fields
Set the Dynamic Text Field dialog box options
Dynamically preselect an HTML check box
Dynamically preselect an HTML radio button
Validate HTML form data
Attach JavaScript behaviors to HTML form objects
Attach custom scripts to HTML form buttons
Create accessible HTML forms
Note: Support for HTML form elements has been enhanced in Dreamweaver Creative Cloud updates. For information, see
About web forms
When a visitor enters information into a web form displayed in a web browser and clicks the submit button, the information is sent to a server
where a server-side script or application processes it. The server responds by sending the processed information back to the user (or client), or by
performing some other action based on the form’s contents.
You can create forms that submit data to most application servers, including PHP, ASP, and ColdFusion. If you use ColdFusion, you can also add
ColdFusion-specific form controls to your forms.
Note: You can also send form data directly to an e-mail recipient.
Form objects
In Dreamweaver, form input types are called form objects. Form objects are the mechanisms that allow users to input data. You can add the
following form objects to a form:
Text fields Accept any type of alphanumeric text entry. The text can be displayed as a single line, multiple lines, and as a password field where
entered text is replaced by asterisks or bullets to hide the text from onlookers.
Note: Passwords and other information sent to a server using a password field are not encrypted. The transferred data can be intercepted and
read as alphanumeric text. For this reason, you should always provide encryption for data you want to keep secure.
Hidden fields Store information entered by a user, such as a name, e-mail address, or viewing preference, and then use that data when the user
584