HTML / CSS02.06.2025

8 important HTML tags you should try

1 - <details> & <summary>

Create collapsible content sections

  • Use Case: FAQs, optional content sections
  • Browser Support: 97% global (polyfill needed for IE)
<details>
  <summary>View More Info</summary>
  <p>Hidden content revealed when clicked</p>
  <img src="info-graphic.png" alt="Additional information">
</details>

2 - <dialog>

Native modal/popup dialog

  • Use Case: Login modals, confirmation dialogs
  • Browser Support: 93% (Chrome/Edge 79+, Firefox 98+)
<dialog id="newsletterDialog">
  <h2>Subscribe to Newsletter</h2>
  <form method="dialog">
    <input type="email" placeholder="Enter email">
    <button>Subscribe</button>
  </form>
  <button onclick="document.getElementById('newsletterDialog').close()">
    Close
  </button>
</dialog>

<button onclick="document.getElementById('newsletterDialog').showModal()">
  Open Dialog
</button>

3 - <template>

Client-side content templating

  • Use Case: Dynamic content generation, web components
  • Browser Support: 98% global
<template id="userCard">
  <div class="card">
    <h2 class="name"></h2>
    <p class="email"></p>
  </div>
</template>

<script>
const template = document.getElementById('userCard');
const clone = template.content.cloneNode(true);
clone.querySelector('.name').textContent = 'John Doe';
clone.querySelector('.email').textContent = 'john@example.com';
document.body.appendChild(clone);
</script>

4 - <datalist>

Input field autocomplete suggestions

  • Use Case: Search suggestions, form autocomplete
  • Browser Support: 99% global
<label for="browser">Choose browser:</label>
<input list="browsers" id="browser" name="browser">

<datalist id="browsers">
  <option value="Chrome">
  <option value="Firefox">
  <option value="Safari">
  <option value="Edge">
  <option value="Opera">
</datalist>

5 - <progress>

Display task completion progress

  • Use Case: File uploads, quiz progress
  • Browser Support: 98% global
<progress value="75" max="100">75%</progress>
<!-- Indeterminate state -->
<progress max="100"></progress>

6 - <time>

Machine-readable datetime

  • Use Case: Event schedules, publish dates
  • Browser Support: 99% global
<p>Next meeting: 
  <time datetime="2024-03-15T14:00">March 15th at 2 PM</time>
</p>

7 - <mark>

Highlight text

  • Use Case: Search term highlighting, important snippets
  • Browser Support: 99% global
<p>Search results for <mark>HTML5</mark> features</p>

8 - <figure> & <figcaption>

Annotate media content

  • Use Case: Image/video captions, diagrams
  • Browser Support: 99% global
<figure>
  <img src="chart.png" alt="Revenue growth chart">
  <figcaption>Figure 1: 2023 Quarterly Revenue</figcaption>
</figure>

Key Benefits of These Tags

  • Semantic Meaning: Better accessibility and SEO
  • Native Functionality: Reduce JavaScript dependency
  • Accessibility: Built-in screen reader support
  • Maintainability: Clearer code structure
  • Future-Proof: Standardized browser implementations

What's Next?

Mastering JavaScript Promises: Escape Callback Hell & Unlock Clean Async Code (2025 Guide)Mastering the 'this' Keyword in JavaScript: A Comprehensive Guide
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