A data-* attribute on a <thead> tag attaches additional data to the table header.
To create a custom attribute, replace * with a lowercase string, such as data-id, data-status, or data-location.
A custom data-description attribute on a <thead> tag.
The attribute value is not visible, but is readable by JavaScript.
| First name | Last name |
|---|---|
| Denice | Hobermann |
| Paulo | Cornell |
<style>
table.tb { width:300px; border-collapse: collapse; }
.tb th, .tb td { border: solid 1px #777; padding: 5px; }
.tb thead { background-color:lightblue; }
</style>
<table class="tb">
<thead data-description="Header title for the list of active customers">
<tr>
<th>First name</th>
<th>Last name</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Denice</td>
<td>Hobermann</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paulo</td>
<td>Cornell</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The data-* attribute adds custom information to a <thead> element.
The * part is replaced with a lowercase string, such as data-id, data-cost, or data-location.
An <thead> element can have any number of data-* attributes, each with their own name.
Using data-* attributes reduces the need for requests to the server.
Note: The data-* attribute is not visible and does not change the appearance of the thead.
<thead data-*="value">
Note: The * can be any string, such as data-id, data-cost, data-supplier, etc.
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| value | A string value. Can be numeric, alphanumeric, JSON, etc. |
A custom data-description attribute on a <thead> tag.
Clicking the button will display the description value.
| First name | Last name |
|---|---|
| Denice | Hobermann |
| Paulo | Cornell |
<style>
table.tb { width:300px; border-collapse: collapse; }
.tb th, .tb td { border: solid 1px #777; padding: 5px; }
.tb thead { background-color:lightblue; }
</style>
<table class="tb">
<thead id="mythead" data-description="Active customers">
<tr>
<th>First name</th>
<th>Last name</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Denice</td>
<td>Hobermann</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paulo</td>
<td>Cornell</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br/>
<button onclick="show();">Show data</button>
<script>
let show = () => {
let element = document.getElementById("mythead");
alert("Description = " + element.getAttribute('data-description'));
}
</script>
The <thead> tag has a custom data-description attribute.
The data-description attribute describes what type of data is in the <thead>.
Clicks are handled by the onclick event.
Onclick invokes a JavaScript function that extracts and displays the <thead> description.
Note: Notice how the description displays immediately without server call.
Here is when data-* support started for each browser:
 Chrome
|
1.0 | Sep 2008 |
 Firefox
|
1.0 | Sep 2002 |
 IE/Edge
|
1.0 | Aug 1995 |
 Opera
|
1.0 | Jan 2006 |
 Safari
|
1.0 | Jan 2003 |
Back to <thead>
