Skip to main content

HTML Plug-ins

Plug-ins are computer programs that extend the standard functionality of the browser.


Plug-ins

Plug-ins were designed for many purposes, such as running Java applets, running Microsoft ActiveX controls, displaying Flash movies, showing maps, scanning for viruses, and verifying a bank id.


Warning !

Most browsers no longer support Java applets and plug-ins. ActiveX controls are no longer supported in any browser, and support for Shockwave Flash has also been turned off in modern browsers.


The <object> Element

The <object> element is supported by all browsers and defines an embedded object in a document. It was designed to embed plug-ins like Java applets, PDF readers, and Flash players, but it can also be used to include one HTML file inside another, or to show an image.

Embed HTML

Embedding another HTML file with <object>.

Prompt
A page that uses the object element to embed another HTML file (snippet.html) at full width and 500px height.
Output: complete HTML page

Embed an image

Showing an image with <object>.

Prompt
A page that uses the object element to embed an image (audi.jpeg).
Output: complete HTML page

The <embed> Element

The <embed> element is supported in all major browsers and also defines an embedded object. Browsers have supported it for a long time, though it only became part of the HTML specification in HTML5. It can show an image or include one HTML file inside another.

Note: The <embed> element has no closing tag and cannot contain alternative text.

Embed an image

Showing an image with <embed>.

Prompt
A page that uses the embed element to embed an image (audi.jpeg). The embed element has no closing tag.
Output: complete HTML page

Embed HTML

Embedding another HTML file with <embed>.

Prompt
A page that uses the embed element to embed another HTML file (snippet.html) at full width and 500px height.
Output: complete HTML page