ime-mode

Summary

The ime-mode CSS property controls the state of the input method editor for text fields. According to the spec:

"ime-mode" is a property somewhat implemented in some browsers, that is problematic and officially obsoleted by this specification... 

User agents are instructed by the spec not to support ime-mode and authors are advised not to use it.

Syntax

ime-mode: auto;
ime-mode: normal;
ime-mode: active;
ime-mode: inactive;
ime-mode: disabled;

/* Global values */
ime-mode: inherit;
ime-mode: initial;
ime-mode: unset;

Values

auto

No change is made to the current input method editor state. This is the default.

normal

The IME state should be normal; this value can be used in a user style sheet to override the page setting. This value is not supported by Internet Explorer.

active

The input method editor is initially active; text entry is performed using it unless the user specifically dismisses it. Not supported on Linux.

inactive

The input method editor is initially inactive, but the user may activate it if they wish. Not supported on Linux.

disabled

The input method editor is disabled and may not be activated by the user.

Formal syntax

auto | normal | active | inactive | disabled

Examples

<input type="text" name="name" value="initial value" style="ime-mode: disabled">

This example disables input method support for a field; this might be necessary for fields that enter data into a database that doesn't support extended character sets, for example.

Notes

Unlike in Internet Explorer, the Firefox implementation of ime-mode allows this property to apply to password editing fields. However, this does not make for an ideal user experience, and password fields should disable the IME. Users may correct the inappropriate behavior of sites that don't follow this recommendation by placing the following CSS into their user CSS file:

input[type=password] {
    ime-mode: auto !important;
}

The Macintosh version of Gecko 1.9 (Firefox 3) can't recover the previous state of the IME when a field for which it is disabled loses focus, so Mac users may get grumpy when you use the disabled value.

Specifications

Browser compatibility

[1] IE8 introduced -ms-ime-mode as a synonym for ime-mode. Don't use the -ms- prefix.

See also

• It was introduced by Microsoft with IE5 as a proprietary extension: -ms-ime-mode Attribute | imeMode Property