Simple question - is there any way to select a sub-set of the text displayed in a <textarea> control using Javascript?

e.g. have a function like

selectText(startCharNo, endCharNo, textareaName);

It also needs to be IE6 patible.

Simple question - is there any way to select a sub-set of the text displayed in a <textarea> control using Javascript?

e.g. have a function like

selectText(startCharNo, endCharNo, textareaName);

It also needs to be IE6 patible.

• javascript
• internet-explorer-6
• textarea

Share Improve this question Follow asked Apr 29, 2009 at 7:53 Richard NicholsRichard Nichols 1,9401818 silver badges1919 bronze badges

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3 Answers 3

Sorted by: Reset to default 6

yes, it is possible

element.focus();
if(element.setSelectionRange)
   element.setSelectionRange(startCharNo, endCharNo);
else {
   var r = element.createTextRange();
   r.collapse(true);
   r.moveEnd('character', endCharNo);
   r.moveStart('character', startCharNo);
   r.select();   
}

element is the reference to the textarea

createTextRange()

http://www.developerfusion./forum/thread/48987/

selectText(startCharNo, endCharNo, textAreaName){
   var content = document.getElementById(textAreaName).innerHTML; //value may work too
   var piece = content.subString(startCharNo, endCharNo);
   return piece;
}