Bootstrap React Forms Overview

Examples and usage guidelines for form control styles, layout options, and custom components for creating a wide variety of forms.

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Overview#

Bootstrap React’s form controls expand on our Rebooted form styles with classes. Use these classes to opt into their customized displays for a more consistent rendering across browsers and devices.

Be sure to use an appropriate type attribute on all inputs (e.g., email for email address or number for numerical information) to take advantage of newer input controls like email verification, number selection, and more.

Here’s a quick example to demonstrate Bootstrap React’s form styles. Keep reading for documentation on required classes, form layout, and more.

We'll never share your email with anyone else.
1<CForm>
2  <div className="mb-3">
3    <CFormLabel htmlFor="exampleInputEmail1">Email address</CFormLabel>
4    <CFormInput type="email" id="exampleInputEmail1" aria-describedby="emailHelp" />
5    <CFormText id="emailHelp">We'll never share your email with anyone else.</CFormText>
6  </div>
7  <div className="mb-3">
8    <CFormLabel htmlFor="exampleInputPassword1">Email Password</CFormLabel>
9    <CFormInput type="password" id="exampleInputPassword1" />
10  </div>
11  <CFormCheck
12    className="mb-3"
13    label="Check me out"
14    onChange={(e) => {
15      console.log(e.target)
16    }}
17  />
18  <CButton type="submit" color="primary">
19    Submit
20  </CButton>
21</CForm>

Form text#

Block-level or inline-level form text can be created using <CFormText>.

Associating form text with form controls Form text should be explicitly associated with the form control it relates to using the aria-describedby attribute. This will ensure that assistive technologies—such as screen readers—will announce this form text when the user focuses or enters the control.

Form text below inputs can be styled with <CFormText>. If a block-level element will be used, a top margin is added for easy spacing from the inputs above.

Your password must be 8-20 characters long, contain letters and numbers, and must not contain spaces, special characters, or emoji.
1<CForm>
2  <div className="mb-3">
3    <CFormLabel htmlFor="inputPassword5">Password</CFormLabel>
4    <CFormInput type="password" id="inputPassword5" aria-describedby="passwordHelpBlock" />
5    <CFormText id="passwordHelpBlock">
6      Your password must be 8-20 characters long, contain letters and numbers, and must not
7      contain spaces, special characters, or emoji.
8    </CFormText>
9  </div>
10</CForm>

Inline text can use any typical inline HTML element (be it a <span>, <small>, or something else) with nothing more than the .form-text class.

Must be 8-20 characters long.
1<CRow className="g-3 align-items-center">
2  <CCol xs="auto">
3    <CFormLabel htmlFor="inputPassword6" className="col-form-label">
4      Password
5    </CFormLabel>
6  </CCol>
7  <CCol xs="auto">
8    <CFormInput type="password" id="inputPassword6" aria-describedby="passwordHelpInline" />
9  </CCol>
10  <CCol xs="auto">
11    <CFormText component="span" id="passwordHelpInline">
12      Must be 8-20 characters long.
13    </CFormText>
14  </CCol>
15</CRow>

Disabled forms#

Add the disabled boolean attribute on an input to prevent user interactions and make it appear lighter.

1<CFormLabel id="disabledInput" type="text" placeholder="Disabled input here..." disabled />

Add the disabled attribute to a <fieldset> to disable all the controls within. Browsers treat all native form controls (<input>, <select>, and <button> elements) inside a <fieldset disabled> as disabled, preventing both keyboard and mouse interactions on them.

However, if your form also includes custom button-like elements such as <CButton>...</CButton>, these will only be given a style of pointer-events: none, meaning they are still focusable and operable using the keyboard. In this case, you must manually modify these controls by adding tabindex="-1" to prevent them from receiving focus and aria-disabled="disabled" to signal their state to assistive technologies.

Disabled fieldset example
1<CForm>
2  <fieldset disabled>
3    <legend>Disabled fieldset example</legend>
4    <div className="mb-3">
5      <CFormLabel htmlFor="disabledTextInput">Disabled input</CFormLabel>
6      <CFormInput id="disabledTextInput" placeholder="Disabled input" />
7    </div>
8    <div className="mb-3">
9      <CFormLabel htmlFor="disabledSelect">Disabled select menu</CFormLabel>
10      <CFormSelect id="disabledSelect">
11        <option>Disabled select</option>
12      </CFormSelect>
13    </div>
14    <div className="mb-3">
15      <CFormCheck id="disabledFieldsetCheck" label="Can't check this" disabled />
16    </div>
17    <CButton type="submit">Submit</CButton>
18  </fieldset>
19</CForm>