Text ALT tag?

Is it possible?

[web_young]

I know that alt tags for images show the text when someone mouses over the image. What I'm wondering is there a way to do the same thing with a word or block of text. When someone hovers over the text I'd like a little box of text with additional info to show up. Does that make any sense? Is it possible?

[aevea]

Use the title attribute.

[storevalley]

You could put the block of text behind a transparent image and use the alt tag of the image.

There are also a few DHTML scripts around that allow you to do this kind of stuff. Search Google for "dhtml tooltip"

[DrDoc]

alt tags for images show the text when someone mouses over the image

They are not supposed to.
If you want text to show when you hover any (almost) element -- use the title attribute (as pointed out).

[choster]

In the newer specifications, the title attributes is also supposed to be used for descriptive text, and alt is re-emphasized as "replacement text." There isn't universal consensus on formatting, but I typically view alt as "what is this?" and title as "why should anyone care?"

<img src="map.gif" title="Ourtown is located in north-central Bigcounty along Interstate 13" alt="[Map of Towns in Bigcounty]" />.

DrDoc beats me again! :-)

[web_young]

Thanks.

[TheDoctor]

I typically view alt as "what is this?" and title as "why should anyone care?"

Brilliantly put.

[bull]

you could also use <acronym>

[g1smd]

If alt text (by the way it is an attribute, not a tag) pops up then that is a browser bug.

Only the contents of the title attribute should pop up.