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ime-mode

Deprecated
This feature is no longer recommended. Though some browsers might still support it, it may have already been removed from the relevant web standards, may be in the process of being dropped, or may only be kept for compatibility purposes. Avoid using it, and update existing code if possible; see the compatibility table at the bottom of this page to guide your decision. Be aware that this feature may cease to work at any time.

The ime-mode CSS property controls the state of the input method editor (IME) for text fields. This property is obsolete.

/* Keyword values */
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;

The ime-mode property is only partially and inconsistently implemented in browsers. It was introduced by Microsoft with Internet Explorer 5 as a proprietary extension: -ms-ime-mode Attribute | imeMode Property.

Note: In general, it's not appropriate for a public web site to change the IME mode. This property should only be used for private web applications or to undo the property if it was previously set by legacy code.

Syntax

The ime-mode property is specified using one of the keyword values listed below.

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's setting. This value is not supported by Internet Explorer.
active: The input method editor is initially active; text entry is performed through 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.

Description

Unlike Internet Explorer, Firefox's implementation of ime-mode allows this property on <input type="password">. However, this makes for a bad user experience, and password fields should not enable the IME. Users may correct the inappropriate behavior of sites that don't follow this recommendation by placing the following CSS into their user stylesheet:

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

The Mac 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.

Formal definition

Initial value	`auto`
Applies to	text fields
Inherited	no
Computed value	as specified
Animation type	discrete

Formal syntax

auto | normal | active | inactive | disabled

Examples

Disabling input method support

This example disables input method support for a form field. In the past, this was commonly used on fields that entered data into databases which didn't support extended character sets.

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

Note: You shouldn't rely on disabling IME to prevent extended characters from passing through your form. Even with IME disabled, users can still paste extended characters into your form's fields.

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
CSS Basic User Interface Module Level 3 The definition of 'ime-mode' in that specification.	Recommendation	Initial definition. Makes `ime-mode` officially obsolete.

Browser compatibilityUpdate compatibility data on GitHub

	Desktop
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari
`ime-mode`	No	12 — 79 12 — 79 12 — 79 Prefixed Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -ms-	3	5 5 8 Prefixed Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -ms-	No	No

	Mobile
	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Firefox for Android	Opera for Android	Safari on iOS	Samsung Internet
`ime-mode`	No	No	4	No	No	No

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Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/ime-mode