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HTML <optgroup> hidden Attribute

HTML <ol>

HTML <option>

A hidden attribute on an <optgroup> tag hides the optgroup element.

Although the optgroup is not visible, its position on the page is maintained.

Example

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A hidden attribute on an <optgroup>element.
The Europe option group is not visible.

<select>
  <option value="">-- Select city -- </option>
  <optgroup label="Europe" hidden>
    <option value="stockholm">Stockholm</option>
    <option value="barcelona">Barcelona</option>
    <option value="athens">Athens</option>
  </optgroup>
  <optgroup label="Asia">
    <option value="bangkok">Bangkok</option>
    <option value="manila">Manila</option>
    <option value="jakarta">Jakarta</option>
  </optgroup>
</select>

Using hidden

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The hidden attribute hides the <optgroup> element.

You can specify either 'hidden' (without value) or 'hidden="hidden"'. Both are valid.

A hidden <optgroup> element is not visible, but it maintains its position on the page.

Removing the hidden attribute makes it re-appear.

Syntax

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<optgroup hidden>

<optgroup hidden="hidden">

Values

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Value	Description
hidden	Use 'hidden' or hidden='hidden'. Both are valid.

More Examples

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Clicking the button toggles A hidden attribute on the Europe <optgroup>.

<select>
  <option value="">-- Select city -- </option>
  <optgroup id="myoptgroup" label="Europe">
    <option value="stockholm">Stockholm</option>
    <option value="barcelona">Barcelona</option>
    <option value="athens">Athens</option>
  </optgroup>
  <optgroup label="Asia">
    <option value="bangkok">Bangkok</option>
    <option value="manila">Manila</option>
    <option value="jakarta">Jakarta</option>
  </optgroup>
</select>

<br />
<button onclick="toggle(this)">Hide optgroup</button>

<script>
  let toggle = button => {
    let element = document.getElementById("myoptgroup");
    let hidden = element.getAttribute("hidden");
    
    if (hidden) {
       element.removeAttribute("hidden");
       button.innerText = "Hide optgroup";
    } else {
       element.setAttribute("hidden", "hidden");
       button.innerText = "Show optgroup";
    }
  }
</script>

Code explanation

Initially, the Europe <optgroup> is visible and its options are selectable.

Clicking the button executes JavaScript that toggles the hidden attribute.

The hidden attribute hides the <optgroup> element.

And the <option> elements inside the optgroup are also hidden.

Browser support

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Here is when hidden 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

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Back to <optgroup>