Example
The second submit button overrides the HTTP method of the form:
<form action=”/action_page.php” method=”get”>
First name: <input type=”text” name=”fname”><br>
Last name: <input type=”text” name=”lname”><br>
<input type=”submit” value=”Submit”>
<input type=”submit” formmethod=”post” value=”Submit using POST”>
</form>
Definition and Usage
The formmethod attribute defines the HTTP method for sending form-data to the action URL.
The formmethod attribute overrides the method attribute of the <form> element.
Note: The formmethod attribute can be used with type=”submit” and type=”image”.
The form-data can be sent as URL variables (method=”get”) or as an HTTP post transaction (method=”post”).
Notes on the “get” method:
- This method appends the form-data to the URL in name/value pairs
- This method is useful for form submissions where a user want to bookmark the result
- There is a limit to how much data you can place in a URL (varies between browsers), therefore, you cannot be sure that all of the form-data will be correctly transferred
- Never use the “get” method to pass sensitive information! (password or other sensitive information will be visible in the browser’s address bar)
Notes on the “post” method:
- This method sends the form-data as an HTTP post transaction
- Form submissions with the “post” method cannot be bookmarked
- The “post” method is more robust and secure than “get”, and “post” does not have size limitations
Browser Support
The numbers in the table specify the first browser version that fully supports the attribute.
| Attribute | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| formmethod | 9.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 5.1 | 10.6 |
Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML5
The formmethod attribute is new in HTML5.
Syntax
<input formmethod=”get|post”>
Attribute Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| get | Default. Appends the form-data to the URL in name/value pairs: URL?name=value&name=value |
| post | Sends the form-data as an HTTP post transaction |