HTMLElement.contentEditable

The contentEditable property of the HTMLElement interface specifies whether or not the element is editable. This enumerated attribute can have the following values:

  • 'true' indicates that the element is contenteditable.
  • 'false' indicates that the element cannot be edited.
  • 'inherit' indicates that the element inherits its parent's editable status.

You can use the HTMLElement.isContentEditable property to test the computed Boolean value of this property.

Syntax

editable = element.contentEditable
element.contentEditable = 'true'

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
HTML Living Standard
The definition of 'contenteditable' in that specification.		 Living Standard Initial definition

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
contentEditableChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 3IE Full support 8Opera Full support 9Safari Full support 6WebView Android Full support 4.4Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support
Full support

In Internet Explorer, contenteditable cannot be applied to the <table>, <col>, <colgroup>, <tbody>, <td>, <tfoot>, <th>, <thead>, and <tr> elements directly. A content editable <span> or <div> element can be placed inside the individual table cells.

See also