What is the function of checkboxes in a form?

Checkboxes in a form are designed specifically to allow users to make multiple selections from a set of options. This means that when a checkbox is present, users can check as many boxes as they wish, unlike other input types such as radio buttons, which restrict selections to one.

The functionality of checkboxes makes them particularly useful in scenarios where a user may need to select multiple items from a list, such as choosing dietary preferences, interests in a survey, or multiple features in a product configuration. When a form containing checkboxes is submitted, only the checked boxes will send their associated values, allowing the form processor to capture and understand the user's selections accurately.

Other types of form elements serve different purposes. For instance, radio buttons are used when only one selection is allowed, while form submission and the display of text serve other roles in data handling and presentation rather than selection. Thus, the primary function of checkboxes remains tied to enabling multiple selections.