Auto-selecting all text in a field

Paul J. Lucas · Nov 28, 2006

I have a simple form that contains an INPUT element that has an
initial value.

<form name="Form">
<input name="Number" type="text" value="Hello">
</form>

When the form loads, I want all of the text in the field to be
automatically selected. How can I do this?

Doing a:

document.Form.Number.select();

selects the INPUT element itself, not the text inside of it.

- Paul

Randy Webb · Nov 28, 2006

Paul J. Lucas said the following on 11/27/2006 9:40 PM:

have a simple form that contains an INPUT element that has an
initial value.
<form name="Form">
<input name="Number" type="text" value="Hello">
</form>
When the form loads, I want all of the text in the field to be
automatically selected. How can I do this?

document.Form.Number.focus()

Paul J. Lucas · Nov 28, 2006

Randy Webb said:
Paul J. Lucas said the following on 11/27/2006 9:40 PM:

document.Form.Number.focus()

No, that gives focus to the INPUT element. It does not select
the text inside. Try it yourself.

- Paul

Lee · Nov 28, 2006

Paul J. Lucas said:

I have a simple form that contains an INPUT element that has an
initial value.

<form name="Form">
<input name="Number" type="text" value="Hello">
</form>

When the form loads, I want all of the text in the field to be
automatically selected. How can I do this?

Doing a:

document.Form.Number.select();

selects the INPUT element itself, not the text inside of it.

What does it mean to select the element itself? How does it indicate
that if it's not selecting the text?

This simple example selects the text "Hello" in Firefox and IE.
What does it do in your browser?

<html>
<body>
<form name="Form">
<input name="Number" value="Hello">
<input name="Other" value="World">
<br>
<input type="button" value="select" onclick="document.Form.Number.select()">
</form>
</body>
</html>

--

Randy Webb · Nov 28, 2006

Paul J. Lucas said the following on 11/27/2006 10:43 PM:

No, that gives focus to the INPUT element.
Correct.

It does not select the text inside.

Correct again.

Combine the two and test it again. Do you need me to come code it,
upload it, and get paid for it as well? While I am there, maybe I can
teach you how not to indent with tabs.

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Auto-selecting all text in a field

Paul J. Lucas

Randy Webb

Paul J. Lucas

Lee

Randy Webb

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