How can I remove the "No file chosen" tooltip from a file input in Chrome?
To eradicate the notorious "No file chosen" tooltip, the trick is to camouflage the input element behind CSS and utilize JavaScript for an elevated user experience. This compact code snippet unveils the mystery:
By setting the opacity and size over to near-zero values, our file input gets camouflaged perfectly, meanwhile a label morphed into a button does all interaction and even displays the selected file's name!
Using the title
attribute to our advantage
Thought of customizing the default tooltip content? Smack a title
attribute and put whatever you want. However, to remove the tooltip, you just need to assign the title
attribute an empty string or a single space. Behold, the pacesetter for Chrome's default tooltip:
This pièce de résistance sets the title to a space, essentially vanishing the tooltip. To keep the traditional file input but still ditch the tooltip text, dress it up with inline CSS to make it transparent, and voilà!
Fashioning accessible file inputs
Custom file inputs offer a unique user experience but ensuring their accessibility is non-negotiable. Do not deny the rights of screen readers and assistive technologies which chiefly bank on appropriate ARIA attributes and keyboard interactions.
- Describe your assassin input with
aria-label
oraria-labelledby
. - Confirm your counterfeit button is accessible via a keyboard like a regular button.
- Roll out visual feedback for interactions like hover, active, and focus.
Harnessing JavaScript
To wield greater control, summon the magic of JavaScript:
A custom element with an alias 'file-btn'
now masquerades as the hidden file input click trigger without revealing the default tooltip. Deception, you see!
Potential pitfalls and precautions
Even with these effective methods, beware of the pitfalls:
- Confirm all browser compatibility before diving in. Each may render a unique result.
- Consider user feedback, it's crucial that users are informed of the file selected.
- Stick to the safe zone and avoid JavaScript solutions that can potentially fuel security concerns.
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