HTML <bdo> element

The <bdo> element explicitly overrides the direction of its text. The letters bdo stand for bidirectional override.

Normally, the browser uses the Unicode bidirectional algorithm to arrange text containing different writing directions. The <bdo> element overrides that ordering for its contents. For example, a right-to-left override on the Latin text abc 123 displays it as 321 cba.

The global dir attribute is required on this element. Its value must be ltr for a left-to-right override or rtl for a right-to-left override. The value auto is not permitted.

The related <bdi> element isolates text from its surroundings while preserving its normal bidirectional ordering. An override deliberately changes that ordering, which can be useful in a demonstration of text direction. Ordinary Arabic or Hebrew text should use its normal writing direction rather than an override.

The example below shows the same text first in its ordinary order and then with a right-to-left override. The override affects the enclosed text; the label before it remains outside the element.

Attributes: dir, GLOBALS.

Typical layout:
<p>Ordinary: abc 123</p>
<p>
  Override:
  <bdo dir="rtl">abc 123</bdo>
</p>

Visual representation: