Case ce-0079 · Scenario scenario-contenteditable-inheritance

contenteditable inheritance behavior is inconsistent

OS: Windows 11 Device: Desktop or Laptop Any Browser: Firefox 120.0 Keyboard: US Status: draft
inheritance nested firefox windows

Phenomenon

When a parent element has contenteditable="true" and a child element has contenteditable="false", the inheritance behavior is inconsistent across browsers. Some browsers allow editing in the child, while others correctly prevent it. The behavior may also differ when the child has contenteditable="inherit" or no contenteditable attribute.

Reproduction example

  1. Create a parent div with contenteditable="true".
  2. Add a child element with contenteditable="false".
  3. Add another child with contenteditable="inherit".
  4. Add another child with no contenteditable attribute.
  5. Try to edit each child and observe behavior.

Observed behavior

  • In Firefox on Windows, inheritance behavior is inconsistent.
  • Children with contenteditable="false" may still be editable.
  • Children with contenteditable="inherit" may not inherit correctly.
  • Children without the attribute may or may not be editable.

Expected behavior

  • contenteditable="false" should always prevent editing.
  • contenteditable="inherit" should inherit from parent.
  • Children without the attribute should inherit from parent.
  • Behavior should be consistent across browsers.

Playground for this case

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Reported environment
OS: Windows 11
Device: Desktop or Laptop Any
Browser: Firefox 120.0
Keyboard: US
Your environment

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