When an element has an inert attribute, the user agent
must mark that element and all its descendants as inert.
By default, there is no visual indication of a subtree being inert. Authors are
- encouraged to clearly mark what parts of their document are active and which are inert, to avoid
- user confusion. In particular, it is worth remembering that not all users can see all parts of a
- page at once; for example, users of screen readers, users on small devices or with magnifiers, and
- even users just using particularly small windows might not be able to see the active part of a
- page and may get frustrated if inert sections are not obviously inert. For individual controls,
- the disabled attribute is probably more appropriate.
By default, there is no persistent visual indication of a subtree being inert.
+ Since inert subtrees may not be the target of user interaction events,
+ including text selection,
+ user agents should show the default cursor when an the user indicates an element in an inert subtree
+ using a pointing device.
+ Authors are encouraged to clearly mark what parts of their document are active and which are inert,
+ to avoid user confusion.
+ In particular, it is worth remembering that not all users can see all parts of a page at once;
+ for example, users of screen readers, users on small devices or with magnifiers,
+ and even users just using particularly small windows
+ might not be able to see the active part of a page and may get frustrated
+ if inert sections are not obviously inert.
+ For individual controls, the disabled attribute
+ is probably more appropriate.
The inert IDL attribute must reflect
the content attribute of the same name.