HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is best known for its use in creating web pages. It’s versatile and easy to use, even for inexperienced coders, and it allows more sophisticated code such as JavaScript to be embedded to deliver extra functions.

HTML has evolved over the years and now offers many functions that weren’t envisaged by its original creators. Its use is also widespread, so let’s have a look at some of the ways it is now employed.

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1. Web applicationsThe latest HTML 5 standard allows the creation of not just pages but web applications. These will continue to work even when you’re not connected to the internet, so HTML has helped to drive the move toward cloud-based computing. It has also reduced the need for plug-ins like Flash so things like animations can be delivered without introducing security risks.

   2. Responsive pages

   It also has allowed pages to become responsive. This means that they can sense the properties of the device that they are being loaded on and change the way they display accordingly. This means an end to sites that don’t look as good on mobile devices.

2. Online servicesThanks to the growth in web applications, HTML has boosted the use of online services. These include services such as PDF to Excel conversions from sites like https://pdftables.com/convert-pdf-to-excel, allowing you to carry out tasks online that would previously have required you to install some extra software on your computer.
3. Client storageEarlier versions of HTML were only able to record the state of your machine for future sessions in a limited way using cookies. However, HTML 5 allows the use of client-side storage. This means database information can be stored on your local machine, further extending the functionality of online applications.

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5. Data entryData entry is easier with HTML 5. Developers can add attributes to tag fields that are required to be entered. In addition, other features, like validation and on-screen keyboards, can be added to make online data entry faster and more accurate.

   6 API expansion

   HTML 5 has greatly expanded the use of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). These allow web sites and applications to offer a much greater range of features compared to the pages of yesteryear. These include features like geolocation, drag-and-drop file handling, and media capture.