The HTML commandfor attribute
Quick answer
The HTML commandfor attribute names the element (by id) that the button's command acts on. It is used on the <button> element.
Overview
The commandfor attribute targets the element a button command controls. It is used on <button> and submit-type <input> controls.
It applies to buttons. Several of these let a single submit button override the parent <form>'s settings (its action, method, encoding or validation), while others wire a button to a popover or a built-in command.
Syntax
<button command="toggle-popover" commandfor="p">Toggle</button>Values
| Value |
|---|
| The id of the target element. |
Best practices
- Always set an explicit type on a <button> — the default inside a form is
submit. - Use the
form*override attributes only when one button genuinely needs different submission behavior. - Give every button clear, descriptive text for screen readers.
- Prefer real <button> elements over clickable <div>s for keyboard and accessibility support.
Frequently asked questions
What does the commandfor attribute do?
Targets the element a button command controls.
Why does my button submit the form unexpectedly?
Can one button submit to a different URL than the form?
Yes. Put
formaction (and optionally formmethod) on that submit button to override the form.