IT Accessibility Curriculum and Resources: HTML 4.01 Deprecated Elements/Attributes and Better Solutions

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HTML 4.01 Deprecated Elements/Attributes and Better Solutions

For your convenience, we have compiled a list of elements and attributes that have been deprecated in HTML 4.01, along with some suggestions about better solutions for using these elements. We have also provided a list of usages that are not recommended.

Elements Deprecated in HTML 4.01
Element	Description	Suggested Alternatives
`applet`	Inserts Java applet	Use the `object` element.
`basefont`	Sets default font size	Use a CSS rule such as: `html, body { font-size: 90%; }`
`center`	Aligns text or other elements centered within the margins	Use the `text-align: center;` declaration in CSS.
`dir`	Used to generate a multi-column list	Use the `ul` (unordered list) element.
`font`	Used to change font locally	Use the `font`, `font-family`, or `font-size` properties in CSS.
`isindex`	Creates a single-line input control	Use the `input` element.
`menu`	Used to generate a single column list	Use the `ul` (unordered list) element.
`strike` `s`	Strike-through text style	If the strike-through represents deleted or removed text, use the `del` element. Otherwise, use the `text-decoration: line-through;` declaration in CSS.
`u`	Underline text style	Use the `text-decoration: underline;` declaration in CSS. ¹

Attributes Deprecated in HTML 4.01
Attribute	For Element(s)	Description	Suggested Alternatives
NOTE: Since the `applet` element is deprecated, all of the attributes used with it are also deprecated. To simplify this table, the applet attributes have not been included.
`align`	`caption` `iframe` `img` `input` `object` `legend` `table` `hr` `div` `h1`-`h6` `p`	Used to change the alignment of element contents	Use the `text-align` property in CSS. (The `align` attribute is not deprecated for the following table elements: `colgroup`, `col`, `thead`, `tfoot`, `tbody`, `tr`, `th`, or `td`. Its use is discouraged when possible.)
`alink`	`body`	Used to set the color of selected links	Use a CSS rule such as: `a:active { color: #FF0000; }`
`background`	`body`	Used to specify a texture tile for the document background.	Use the `background` property in CSS.
`bgcolor`	`table` `tr` `td` `th` `body`	Used to specify the background color of the element	Use the `background-color` property in CSS.
`border`	`img` `object`	Used to specify link border width	Use the `border` property in CSS. (The `border` attribute is not deprecated for the `table` element, but its use is discouraged.)
`clear`	`br`	Used to specify where the next line should appear in a visual browser after the line break	On the element after the line break, use the `clear` property in CSS. Consider using two block level elements instead of a `br` element.
`color`	`basefont` `font`	Used to set the color of text	Use the `color` property in CSS.
`compact`	`dl` `ol` `ul` `dir` `menu`	Used to reduce inter-item spacing	Use the `display: compact;` declaration in CSS.
`face`	`font` `basefont`	Used to set the font type	Use the `font` or `font-family` properties in CSS.
`height`	`td` `th`	Sets the height for the element	For table elements, use the `height` property in CSS. Continue to use the `height` attribute in (X)HTML for `img` and `object` elements.
`hspace`	`img` `object`	Used to specify a horizontal gutter around the element	Use the `margin` property in CSS.
`language`	`script`	Used to set a predefined script language name	Use the `type` attribute to specify an Internet media type (such as `type="text/javascript"`).
`link`	`body`	Used to set the color of links	Use a CSS rule such as: `a { color: #0000FF; }`
`noshade`	`hr`	Flattens the aspect of the horizontal rule	Use a CSS rule that combines the `color` or `background-color` properties with the `border-style: none;` declaration. For example: `hr { color: #666666; border-style: none; }`
`nowrap`	`td` `th`	Used to suppress word wrap	Use the `white-space: nowrap;` declaration in CSS.
`size`	`hr` `font` `basefont`	Used to set the size of these elements (measured in pixels for `hr`, measured in increments for `font` and `basefont`)	For horizontal rules, use the `height` property in CSS; for example: `hr { height: 10px; }` For fonts, use the `font-size` property in CSS; for example: `#navigation { font-size: 1.2em; }`
`start`	`ol`	Used to set the starting point for an ordered list	No suggested alternative. ²
`text`	`body`	Used to set body text color	Use the `color` property in CSS.
`type`	`li` `ol` `ul`	Used to set various list styles	Use the `list-style-type` property in CSS. For example: `ul { list-style-type: square; }` `ol { list-style-type: upper-roman; }`
`value`	`li`	Used to reset sequence number	No suggested alternative. ²
`version`	`html`	Used to specify version used	Use a valid document type declaration (DTD).
`vlink`	`body`	Used to set the color of visited links	Use a CSS rule such as: `a:visited { color: #FF00FF; }`
`vspace`	`img` `object`	Used to set vertical gutter around element	Use the `margin` property in CSS.
`width`	`hr` `td` `th` `pre`	Used to set the width of elements	Use the `width` property in CSS. Continue to use the `width` attribute in (X)HTML for `img` and `object` elements.

Element/Attribute Usage Discouraged for HTML 4.01
Element/ Attribute	Discouraged Usage Description	Suggested Alternatives
`i`	Used to identify text to be italicized	If the italics are meant to convey an emphasis, use the `em` element. The semantic meaning is useful for visitors with screen readers and aural browsers. If you are using italics for the title of a work, use the `cite` element. If you are using italics purely for presentation, consider using the `font-style: italic;` declaration in CSS.
`b`	Used to identify text to be bolded	If the bolded text is meant to convey a strong emphasis, use the `strong` element. The semantic meaning is useful for visitors with screen readers and aural browsers. If you are using bold purely for presentation, consider using the `font-weight: bold;` declaration in CSS.
`big`	Used locally to make text larger	Consider using the `font-size` property in CSS. For headings, use the `h1`-`h6` elements.
`small`	Used locally to make text smaller
`blockquote`	Misapplied to indent text.	The `blockquote` element should always contain quoted text. To indent text for other reasons, use the `padding` or `margin` properties in CSS.

¹ The cite element may also be an appropriate replacement for the deprecated u element in situations where you are identifying a book or other underlined title. Consider defining a class with a text-decoration: underline; declaration or a border-bottom property.

² The CSS 2.1 Candidate Recommendation defines a counter-reset property, but it is not widely supported. If possible, consider structuring content so that ordered lists start at the first value.

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