Inputfields have a datatype. For example, a particular inputfield may allow only integers (round numbers) and we then say that the inputfield is of datatype integer. An inputfield of datatype date allows only dates and times. An inputfield of datatype 'rich text' (or html) allows any text, which may run over several lines and may contain markup like headers, links, underlining, included images, tables, italic, boldfacing, etc. Note that such markup is not always desirable. For example, you would not want a table within a document title. You would not even want underlining in a document title, as this would look weird in a list of many document titles. So document titles are generally of datatype string. The datatype string allows text but without markup, i.e. it has to be unformatted, it may not even run over several lines. Think of a simple string of characters. You may also encounter inputfields of datetype text, that are like strings, but allow several lines, or formatted text, that are like text, but allow simple markup: boldfacing, underlining and italics. You may also encounter custom datatypes, that are specific for your CMS.

An inputfield may have buttons for editing and adding simple markup. Rich text (or html) inputfields have many buttons, but which ones depends on the choices made in the (custom) CMS you are using.

The meaning, caption, datatype, buttons, size, color and position of inputfields have been chosen for the (custom) CMS you are using by information architects.