Form field default values - (can this be done?)

**Andyjay** · 07-27-2012 03:24 AM

Due to lack of space to use <labels> for my text fields, i've used the default value to label them (to give a description of what info is expected).
I'm using javascript to clear the default text on focus.
The problem i have, is i don't want the default values to be entered into the database.
To add to the problem, i need to put validation on some of the text fields :-)

a catch 22 maybe?

Thanks in advance for any help

Andy

**Andyjay** · 07-27-2012 03:29 AM

forgot to add the code:

Code:

<input name="CustEmail" type="text" id="CustEmail" value="enter customer email" size="46" onfocus="if(this.value==this.defaultValue)this.value=''" onblur="if(this.value=='')this.value=this.defaultValue"/>

**007Julien** · 07-27-2012 10:32 AM

Use something like this

Code:

<body>
<form action="#" onsubmit="return !!document.getElementById('errMsg').innerHTML">
<p><input  name="CustEmail" type="text" id="CustName" value="Customer name" size="32" onfocus='rmvDfl(this)' onblur="excTst(this)">
<p><input  name="CustEmail" type="text" id="CustEmail" value="Customer email" size="32" onfocus='rmvDfl(this)' onblur="excTst(this)">
<p id="errMsg"></p>
<p><input type="submit" value="Submit"></p>
</form>
<script type="text/javascript">
function rmvDfl(t){// remove default value and restore the cursor in the field
	if (t.value==t.defaultValue) {t.value="";
		if (document.selection && document.selection.clear) document.selection.clear();}
}
function excTst(t){// restore default values and execute tests for validation
   if (t.value=='') t.value=t.defaultValue;
	else {// Custom test
		if (t.value==t.defaultValue) {document.getElementById('errMsg').innerHTML='Fills all the fields !';return;}
 		// Other tests
		if (t.id=='CustName') {// validation for Name
		}
		else if (t.id=='CustEmail') {// validation for Email
			if (/*not valid*/true) document.getElementById('errMsg').innerHTML='The Email seems erroneus !';
		}
	}
}
</script>
</body>

Which is, If I am not mistaken, cross browsers and allow to use the tab key to walk thought the form...

**Logic Ali** · 07-27-2012 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Andyjay

The problem i have, is i don't want the default values to be entered into the database.

Your server-side validation should be preventing that.

**007Julien** · 07-27-2012 01:57 PM

I agree, the real validation has to take place on the server. It is nevertheless useful, for client and server, to work on the client side to avoid useless calls...

**Andyjay** · 07-30-2012 05:58 AM

Thanks 007Julien

Much appreciated :-)
Andy

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