Embedding Flash into HTML - the swfobject method

Embedding Flash in HTML code has always been tricky - the clunky code Flash produces on publish is inflated and does not validate to standards.

Several alternate methods have been developed over the years, including the Flash Satay method, and swfobject is the latest incarnation, although even this is likely to be superceded by swffix.

What is swfobject?

SWFObject is a small Javascript file used for embedding Macromedia Flash content. The reliance on Javascript is the only drawback, but the non-flash content will appear in its place to compensate (and users have to actually turn off javascript in their browsers ... which most do not know how to do).

Benefits of swfobject

• Detects plugin in all major browsers
• Embed multiple Flash files on a page
• Search engine friendly with 'no flash' content
• Valid HTML/XHTML code
• Forward compatible

» How to implement swfobject in full

Credits

Swfobject was developed by Geoff Sterns, a Senior Software Developer at Schematic in New York.

View the latest statistics for the penetration of the Flash player worldwide here.

Accessible Rich Fonts using Flash

On a related note - you can also use rich fonts for text by swapping out your HTML text for Flash text - all semantic and search engine friendly. See it in action on a Field Marketing website.
» Rich Accessible Typography