Count Characters in a field

[paperbag1]

Does anyone know of a way to count the characters in a field as you type them? I am only able to get the counter to update after I exit the field. I would like to have the counter update as you type.

Thanks,

Phil

[Zero Tolerence]

maybe with some type of an eventtrigger script.

[Lee Smith]

Hi Zero,

Wouldn't the event script require an exit of the field?

Hi Phil,

Have you looked at using either an Auto Enter or Calculation field and the "Length ( Text )" function?

you would have to exit the field to get the count, but it does keep the number of characters used.

Why not let us know what you are trying to accomplish with this count and maybe there would be a better approach.

HTH

Lee

[paperbag1]

I have a field that is limited to 35 characters. As info is entered in this field, I think it would be helpful if a "number of characters used" field would update as entry occured. One could plan abbreviations better. As it stands now, it tells you you have exceed the max but not by how much. I have been able to get a counter to work as you described but only after the field was exited.

[Lee Smith]

AFAIK, you only have a couple of choices.

The way we discussed.

Use a validation on the field

Make the size of the field 35 characters wide based font such as Monaco.

Lee

[dwins]

Save a click this way.

Make the calc field (Length function) a button.

The script is basically Commit and Set Selection.

You to click to update the count while your cursor never leaves the active field.

David

Edited January 10, 2006 by Guest

[Matt Klein]

You can use the SecureFM w/MenuMagic plug-in by New Millennium(www.newmillennium.com) to accomplish this. One of the functions included in the plug-in will allow you to assign a script to any key or combination of keys.

Don't allow entry into the field without clicking on it. Make the field a button. When you click the field you can run a script that enters field and starts this "key trapping". With every keystroke you run a script that inputs the pressed key and then updates the counter field.

I use this for auto-enter/clairvoyance.

[paperbag1]

I was afraid that a plug-in would be required. I'll take a look at it and see if we want to go that route.

[Matt Klein]

I was afraid that a plug-in would be required. I'll take a look at it and see if we want to go that route.

There are a number of VERY useful functions in the SecureFM plug-in such as running a script on context (File, TO, Layout, or Window) change.