Disabled and Readonly Fields

Disabled and Readonly Fields

Disabled and readonly controls may look similar but behave differently when users interact with a form and when the form is submitted.

Core concept

Explain disabled controls, readonly text inputs, focus behavior, submission differences, and the semantic meaning of temporarily unavailable versus uneditable data.

Using it in a real interface

Show an order ID as readonly and a shipping method disabled until an address is selected. Explain why readonly values can remain part of a form while disabled controls are normally excluded from submission.

Implementation notes

If a value is required by the server, do not assume a disabled field will submit it. Send the value through an appropriate hidden field or derive it server-side when necessary.