National Center for Supercomputing Applications
A Beginner's Guide to HTML

In-line Images

Most Web browsers can display in-line images (that is, images next to text) that are in X Bitmap (XBM) or GIF format. Each image takes time to process and slows down the initial display of the document, so generally you should not include too many or overly large images.  

To include an in-line image, use 

    <IMG SRC=image_URL>

where image_URL is the URL of the image file. The syntax for IMG SRC URLs is identical to that used in an anchor HREF. If the image file is a GIF file, then the filename part of image_URL must end with .gif. Filenames of X Bitmap images must end with .xbm.  

By default the bottom of an image is aligned with the text as shown in this paragraph. 

Add the ALIGN=TOP option if you want the browser to align adjacent text with the top of the image as shown in this paragraph. The full in-line image tag with the top alignment is: 

    <IMG ALIGN=top SRC=image_URL>

ALIGN=MIDDLE aligns the text with the center of the image. 

Alternate Text for Browsers That Can't Display Images

Some World Wide Web browsers, primarily those that run on VT100 terminals, cannot display images. The ALT option allows you to specify text to be displayed when an image cannot be. For example:  

    <IMG SRC = "UpArrow.gif" ALT = "Up">

where UpArrow.gif is the picture of an upward pointing arrow. With NCSA Mosaic and other graphics-capable viewers, the user sees the up arrow graphic. With a VT100 browser, such as lynx, the user sees the word "Up.''  

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