happydog234
asked on
Getting the Tab Key to Indent in Textarea box
I've got a textarea box I'm using for an html powered CMS and I'm wanting to tab my code in all the time using the tab key, but using it moves the cursor from the text box. I can't easily tab.
Any easy ways around this? JS?
Any easy ways around this? JS?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
I went to this section to ask exactly the same question. And it's also the latest entry in the unanswered questions list! Thanks to happydog and georgemarian. :)
Alternatively and to make it multi browser compatible, add a Text Link, say TAB, or a Image and when you click on it it will add the tab, here's the JS function for that:
function addTAB() {
document.frmNAME.txtNAME.v alue += " ";
document.frmNAME.txtNAME.f ocus();
}
There's a little draw back to this, it will aways add the Tab to the end, I can give the more complete code where it adds the Tab where the cursor is, but it only works in IE.
function addTAB() {
document.frmNAME.txtNAME.v
document.frmNAME.txtNAME.f
}
There's a little draw back to this, it will aways add the Tab to the end, I can give the more complete code where it adds the Tab where the cursor is, but it only works in IE.
ASKER
Well seanpowell, it works fine. So thanks.
But I'm going to hold off awardiung you points to see if I someone can figure out not having to use any key with tab, just tab.
But I'm going to hold off awardiung you points to see if I someone can figure out not having to use any key with tab, just tab.
That would not be possible, because, Tab key by default changes the focus amongst all controls in the page, that's the default behaviour and can't be changed.
Hi happydog234,
We need to modify the initial keystroke to maintain user-accessibility. The only way to do it would potentially break the standard operating environment - so you'd correct one thing by corrupting another.
Given the general usage patterns of multiple keystrokes to perform an action (Ctrl-C) for instance, I don't believe adding the extra element would create any interface problems for the user....
Thanks,
georgemarian
We need to modify the initial keystroke to maintain user-accessibility. The only way to do it would potentially break the standard operating environment - so you'd correct one thing by corrupting another.
Given the general usage patterns of multiple keystrokes to perform an action (Ctrl-C) for instance, I don't believe adding the extra element would create any interface problems for the user....
Thanks,
georgemarian
ASKER
IE 5.5+ specific is fine.
Okay - so we'll leave it as is. It's the best option...
ASKER
seanpowell ,
I would agree you shouldn't break standard practice. This CMS is only for me, on my own site, so I don't mind breaking it.
The above code with CTRL, can it be changed to just tab?
I would agree you shouldn't break standard practice. This CMS is only for me, on my own site, so I don't mind breaking it.
The above code with CTRL, can it be changed to just tab?
ASKER
It does work seanpowell !
Nice!
Nice!
>>The above code with CTRL, can it be changed to just tab?
Absolutely - we just remove the additional CTRL keypress statement:
<html>
<head>
<script>
function CheckTab(el) {
// Run only in IE
// and if tab key is pressed
if ((document.all) && (9==event.keyCode)) {
// Cache the selection
el.selection=document.sele ction.crea teRange();
setTimeout("ProcessTab('" + el.id + "')",0)
}
}
function ProcessTab(id) {
// Insert tab character in place of cached selection
document.all[id].selection .text=Stri ng.fromCha rCode(9)
// Set the focus
document.all[id].focus()
}
</SCRIPT>
</head>
<body>
<form>
<TEXTAREA ID=MyTabDemo ONKEYDOWN="CheckTab(this)" ROWS=20 COLS=20>
Try using just the TAB inside of this textbox.
</TEXTAREA>
</form>
</body>
</html>
Absolutely - we just remove the additional CTRL keypress statement:
<html>
<head>
<script>
function CheckTab(el) {
// Run only in IE
// and if tab key is pressed
if ((document.all) && (9==event.keyCode)) {
// Cache the selection
el.selection=document.sele
setTimeout("ProcessTab('" + el.id + "')",0)
}
}
function ProcessTab(id) {
// Insert tab character in place of cached selection
document.all[id].selection
// Set the focus
document.all[id].focus()
}
</SCRIPT>
</head>
<body>
<form>
<TEXTAREA ID=MyTabDemo ONKEYDOWN="CheckTab(this)"
Try using just the TAB inside of this textbox.
</TEXTAREA>
</form>
</body>
</html>
You are using CreateRange object, beware only IE can deal with it, NS will just ignore it at best.
Good luck.
Good luck.
They mentioned already that IE 5.5+ specific is fine...