Removing default textbox data on click

[Jane Sharpe]

Hi,

I have a textbox with the words "Enter your name here" inserted as default
text - At the moment, to remove this the user must highlight all the text
and delete before they type in their name - I've seen sites where all this
text dissapears as soon as the user clicks on it - how do I do that ?

Thanks

Jane

[Dominique Vandensteen]

you can use the GotFocus event of the textbox
"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@hercules.bti nternet.com...

Hi,

I have a textbox with the words "Enter your name here" inserted as default
text - At the moment, to remove this the user must highlight all the text
and delete before they type in their name - I've seen sites where all this
text dissapears as soon as the user clicks on it - how do I do that ?

Thanks

Jane

[Philip Rieck]

While I probably wouldn't normally hardcode a string literal, this should
give you the idea to get started.

Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
TextBox1.Text = ""
End If
End Sub

Or, to keep the default text there until they start typing:
Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
TextBox1.Select All()
End If
End Sub
"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@hercules.bti nternet.com...

Hi,

I have a textbox with the words "Enter your name here" inserted as default
text - At the moment, to remove this the user must highlight all the text
and delete before they type in their name - I've seen sites where all this
text dissapears as soon as the user clicks on it - how do I do that ?

Thanks

Jane

[Jane Sharpe]

Thanks, I was going to ask for a pointer..... now I'm going to ask for
another !

I get this error...

Handles clause requires a WithEvents variable

Jane

"Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
news:eH******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...

While I probably wouldn't normally hardcode a string literal, this should
give you the idea to get started.

Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
TextBox1.Text = ""
End If
End Sub

Or, to keep the default text there until they start typing:
Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
TextBox1.Select All()
End If
End Sub
"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@hercules.bti nternet.com...

Hi,

I have a textbox with the words "Enter your name here" inserted as default text - At the moment, to remove this the user must highlight all the text and delete before they type in their name - I've seen sites where all this text dissapears as soon as the user clicks on it - how do I do that ?

Thanks

Jane

[Philip Rieck]

To create the "GotFocus" handler automatically, do this: drag your textbox
to the form, and give it a name (in the designer). The default name will be
TextBox1 for the first text box.

Go to the code view, and in the left-hand dropdown just above the code,
select "TextBox1", or whatever you named it. Then in the righ-hand
dropdown, select the "GotFocus" item (it will have a little lightning bolt
next to it). This will create the Shell of the event handler.

In the code I sent, it assumes that the text box was named TextBox1. If it
wasnt, change the part that says
.... "Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us "
To "Handles TheRealNameOfMy TextBox.GotFocu s".

By named, I mean this : in the designer of your form, select the text box.
Look in the properties window and find the "(name)" property. Whatever is
entered there is the "name" of the text box that I keep referring to.


"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@sparta.btint ernet.com...

Thanks, I was going to ask for a pointer..... now I'm going to ask for
another !

I get this error...

Handles clause requires a WithEvents variable

Jane

"Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
news:eH******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...

While I probably wouldn't normally hardcode a string literal, this should

give you the idea to get started.

Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
TextBox1.Text = ""
End If
End Sub

Or, to keep the default text there until they start typing:
Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
TextBox1.Select All()
End If
End Sub
"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@hercules.bti nternet.com...

Hi,

I have a textbox with the words "Enter your name here" inserted as

default text - At the moment, to remove this the user must highlight all the text and delete before they type in their name - I've seen sites where all this text dissapears as soon as the user clicks on it - how do I do that ?

Thanks

Jane

[Jane Sharpe]

And there probably lies my problem, I'm not developing in studio, just
writing code !

"Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
news:uj******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP12.phx.gbl...

To create the "GotFocus" handler automatically, do this: drag your textbox
to the form, and give it a name (in the designer). The default name will be TextBox1 for the first text box.

Go to the code view, and in the left-hand dropdown just above the code,
select "TextBox1", or whatever you named it. Then in the righ-hand
dropdown, select the "GotFocus" item (it will have a little lightning bolt
next to it). This will create the Shell of the event handler.

In the code I sent, it assumes that the text box was named TextBox1. If it wasnt, change the part that says
... "Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us "
To "Handles TheRealNameOfMy TextBox.GotFocu s".

By named, I mean this : in the designer of your form, select the text box.
Look in the properties window and find the "(name)" property. Whatever is
entered there is the "name" of the text box that I keep referring to.


"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@sparta.btint ernet.com...

Thanks, I was going to ask for a pointer..... now I'm going to ask for
another !

I get this error...

Handles clause requires a WithEvents variable

Jane

"Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
news:eH******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...

While I probably wouldn't normally hardcode a string literal, this should give you the idea to get started.

Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
TextBox1.Text = ""
End If
End Sub

Or, to keep the default text there until they start typing:
Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
TextBox1.Select All()
End If
End Sub
"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@hercules.bti nternet.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have a textbox with the words "Enter your name here" inserted as

default

> text - At the moment, to remove this the user must highlight all the

text

> and delete before they type in their name - I've seen sites where all

this

> text dissapears as soon as the user clicks on it - how do I do that

? >
> Thanks
>
> Jane
>
>

[Dominique Vandensteen]

when defining your textbox add withevents keyword:
private WithEvents myTextbox As TextBox
other solution:

private myTextbox As TextBox
Public Sub New()
addHandler myTextbox.GotFo cus, AddressOf TextBox1_GotFoc us
End Sub

Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s)
....
End Sub
or something that looks alike ;-)

"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@titan.btinte rnet.com...

And there probably lies my problem, I'm not developing in studio, just
writing code !

"Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
news:uj******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP12.phx.gbl...

To create the "GotFocus" handler automatically, do this: drag your textbox

to the form, and give it a name (in the designer). The default name will

be

TextBox1 for the first text box.

Go to the code view, and in the left-hand dropdown just above the code,
select "TextBox1", or whatever you named it. Then in the righ-hand
dropdown, select the "GotFocus" item (it will have a little lightning

bolt next to it). This will create the Shell of the event handler.

In the code I sent, it assumes that the text box was named TextBox1. If

it

wasnt, change the part that says
... "Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us "
To "Handles TheRealNameOfMy TextBox.GotFocu s".

By named, I mean this : in the designer of your form, select the text box. Look in the properties window and find the "(name)" property. Whatever is entered there is the "name" of the text box that I keep referring to.


"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@sparta.btint ernet.com...

Thanks, I was going to ask for a pointer..... now I'm going to ask for
another !

I get this error...

Handles clause requires a WithEvents variable

Jane

"Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
news:eH******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
> While I probably wouldn't normally hardcode a string literal, this

should

> give you the idea to get started.
>
> Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
> System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
> If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
> TextBox1.Text = ""
> End If
> End Sub
>
> Or, to keep the default text there until they start typing:
> Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
> System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
> If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
> TextBox1.Select All()
> End If
> End Sub
>
>
> "Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
> news:bu******** **@hercules.bti nternet.com...
> > Hi,
> >
> > I have a textbox with the words "Enter your name here" inserted as
default
> > text - At the moment, to remove this the user must highlight all the text
> > and delete before they type in their name - I've seen sites where

all this
> > text dissapears as soon as the user clicks on it - how do I do

that ? > >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Jane
> >
> >
>
>

[Jane Sharpe]

Thanks for all this help, but I just CANT get this all to gel.

With this test code, I get the error

BC30590: Event 'GotFocus' cannot be found.
Heres my test code:-

<%@ Page Language="VB" %>

<script runat="server">

Private WithEvents TextBox1 As TextBox
Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
TextBox1.Text = ""
End If
End Sub

</script>

<html>

<body>
<form Id="frmForm1" runat="server">
<p>
<asp:TextBox id="TextBox1" runat="server" BorderStyle="So lid"

Enter your name here</asp:TextBox> </p>
</form>
</body>
</html>

"Dominique Vandensteen" <domi.vds_inser t@tralala_tenfo rce.com> wrote in
message news:O2******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP10.phx.gbl... when defining your textbox add withevents keyword:
private WithEvents myTextbox As TextBox
other solution:

private myTextbox As TextBox
Public Sub New()
addHandler myTextbox.GotFo cus, AddressOf TextBox1_GotFoc us
End Sub

Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s)
...
End Sub
or something that looks alike ;-)

"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@titan.btinte rnet.com...

And there probably lies my problem, I'm not developing in studio, just
writing code !

"Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
news:uj******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP12.phx.gbl...

To create the "GotFocus" handler automatically, do this: drag your textbox to the form, and give it a name (in the designer). The default name will

be

TextBox1 for the first text box.

Go to the code view, and in the left-hand dropdown just above the code, select "TextBox1", or whatever you named it. Then in the righ-hand
dropdown, select the "GotFocus" item (it will have a little lightning bolt next to it). This will create the Shell of the event handler.

In the code I sent, it assumes that the text box was named TextBox1. If it

wasnt, change the part that says
... "Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us "
To "Handles TheRealNameOfMy TextBox.GotFocu s".

By named, I mean this : in the designer of your form, select the text box. Look in the properties window and find the "(name)" property.

Whatever

is entered there is the "name" of the text box that I keep referring to.


"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@sparta.btint ernet.com...
> Thanks, I was going to ask for a pointer..... now I'm going to ask

for > another !
>
> I get this error...
>
> Handles clause requires a WithEvents variable
>
> Jane
>
> "Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
> news:eH******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
> > While I probably wouldn't normally hardcode a string literal, this
should
> > give you the idea to get started.
> >
> > Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
> > System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
> > If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
> > TextBox1.Text = ""
> > End If
> > End Sub
> >
> > Or, to keep the default text there until they start typing:
> > Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
> > System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
> > If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
> > TextBox1.Select All()
> > End If
> > End Sub
> >
> >
> > "Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
> > news:bu******** **@hercules.bti nternet.com...
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I have a textbox with the words "Enter your name here" inserted as > default
> > > text - At the moment, to remove this the user must highlight all the > text
> > > and delete before they type in their name - I've seen sites

where all

> this
> > > text dissapears as soon as the user clicks on it - how do I do

that

?

> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Jane
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Dominique Vandensteen]

hum
you forgot to specify one little detail
it's a webapplication. ..

try this group: microsoft.publi c.dotnet.framew ork.aspnet


"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@titan.btinte rnet.com...

Thanks for all this help, but I just CANT get this all to gel.

With this test code, I get the error

BC30590: Event 'GotFocus' cannot be found.
Heres my test code:-

<%@ Page Language="VB" %>

<script runat="server">

Private WithEvents TextBox1 As TextBox
Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
TextBox1.Text = ""
End If
End Sub

</script>

<html>

<body>
<form Id="frmForm1" runat="server">
<p>
<asp:TextBox id="TextBox1" runat="server" BorderStyle="So lid"

Enter your name here</asp:TextBox> </p>
</form>
</body>
</html>

"Dominique Vandensteen" <domi.vds_inser t@tralala_tenfo rce.com> wrote in
message news:O2******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP10.phx.gbl...

when defining your textbox add withevents keyword:
private WithEvents myTextbox As TextBox
other solution:

private myTextbox As TextBox
Public Sub New()
addHandler myTextbox.GotFo cus, AddressOf TextBox1_GotFoc us
End Sub

Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s)
...
End Sub
or something that looks alike ;-)

"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@titan.btinte rnet.com...

And there probably lies my problem, I'm not developing in studio, just
writing code !

"Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
news:uj******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP12.phx.gbl...
> To create the "GotFocus" handler automatically, do this: drag your

textbox

> to the form, and give it a name (in the designer). The default name

will

be
> TextBox1 for the first text box.
>
> Go to the code view, and in the left-hand dropdown just above the code, > select "TextBox1", or whatever you named it. Then in the righ-hand
> dropdown, select the "GotFocus" item (it will have a little lightning

bolt

> next to it). This will create the Shell of the event handler.
>
> In the code I sent, it assumes that the text box was named TextBox1. If it
> wasnt, change the part that says
> ... "Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us "
> To "Handles TheRealNameOfMy TextBox.GotFocu s".
>
> By named, I mean this : in the designer of your form, select the

text

box.

> Look in the properties window and find the "(name)" property. Whatever

is

> entered there is the "name" of the text box that I keep referring

to. >
>
>
>
> "Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
> news:bu******** **@sparta.btint ernet.com...
> > Thanks, I was going to ask for a pointer..... now I'm going to ask

for > > another !
> >
> > I get this error...
> >
> > Handles clause requires a WithEvents variable
> >
> > Jane
> >
> > "Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
> > news:eH******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
> > > While I probably wouldn't normally hardcode a string literal, this > should
> > > give you the idea to get started.
> > >
> > > Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
> > > System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
> > > If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
> > > TextBox1.Text = ""
> > > End If
> > > End Sub
> > >
> > > Or, to keep the default text there until they start typing:
> > > Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
> > > System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
> > > If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
> > > TextBox1.Select All()
> > > End If
> > > End Sub
> > >
> > >
> > > "Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
> > > news:bu******** **@hercules.bti nternet.com...
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > I have a textbox with the words "Enter your name here"

inserted as > > default
> > > > text - At the moment, to remove this the user must highlight

all the

> > text
> > > > and delete before they type in their name - I've seen sites

where all
> > this
> > > > text dissapears as soon as the user clicks on it - how do I do

that

?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > > Jane
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Philip Rieck]

AhHa! it's a web application. That makes it a different beast:
The GotFocus event doesn't really make sense in a web application, since the
events in your VB.NET code are fired on the server side, not the client
side. To do this, you need to use some javascript.

Try this instead:

<%@ Page Language="VB" %>
<HTML>
<script runat="server">

Private Sub Page_PreRender( ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles MyBase.PreRende r
TextBox1.Attrib utes.Add("onFoc us", "removeText ('" & TextBox1.Client Id &
"');")
End Sub

</script>

<script language=javasc ript>
function removeText( clientId)
{
document.getEle mentById( clientId).value = '';
}
</script>
<body>
<form Id="frmForm1" runat="server">
<p>
<asp:TextBox id="TextBox1" runat="server" BorderStyle="So lid">
Enter your name here</asp:TextBox>
</p>
</form>
</body>
</HTML>


"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@titan.btinte rnet.com...

Thanks for all this help, but I just CANT get this all to gel.

With this test code, I get the error

BC30590: Event 'GotFocus' cannot be found.
Heres my test code:-

<%@ Page Language="VB" %>

<script runat="server">

Private WithEvents TextBox1 As TextBox
Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
TextBox1.Text = ""
End If
End Sub

</script>

<html>

<body>
<form Id="frmForm1" runat="server">
<p>
<asp:TextBox id="TextBox1" runat="server" BorderStyle="So lid"

Enter your name here</asp:TextBox> </p>
</form>
</body>
</html>

"Dominique Vandensteen" <domi.vds_inser t@tralala_tenfo rce.com> wrote in
message news:O2******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP10.phx.gbl...

when defining your textbox add withevents keyword:
private WithEvents myTextbox As TextBox
other solution:

private myTextbox As TextBox
Public Sub New()
addHandler myTextbox.GotFo cus, AddressOf TextBox1_GotFoc us
End Sub

Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s)
...
End Sub
or something that looks alike ;-)

"Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
news:bu******** **@titan.btinte rnet.com...

And there probably lies my problem, I'm not developing in studio, just
writing code !

"Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
news:uj******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP12.phx.gbl...
> To create the "GotFocus" handler automatically, do this: drag your

textbox

> to the form, and give it a name (in the designer). The default name

will

be
> TextBox1 for the first text box.
>
> Go to the code view, and in the left-hand dropdown just above the code, > select "TextBox1", or whatever you named it. Then in the righ-hand
> dropdown, select the "GotFocus" item (it will have a little lightning

bolt

> next to it). This will create the Shell of the event handler.
>
> In the code I sent, it assumes that the text box was named TextBox1. If it
> wasnt, change the part that says
> ... "Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us "
> To "Handles TheRealNameOfMy TextBox.GotFocu s".
>
> By named, I mean this : in the designer of your form, select the

text

box.

> Look in the properties window and find the "(name)" property. Whatever

is

> entered there is the "name" of the text box that I keep referring

to. >
>
>
>
> "Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
> news:bu******** **@sparta.btint ernet.com...
> > Thanks, I was going to ask for a pointer..... now I'm going to ask

for > > another !
> >
> > I get this error...
> >
> > Handles clause requires a WithEvents variable
> >
> > Jane
> >
> > "Philip Rieck" <st***@mckraken .com> wrote in message
> > news:eH******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
> > > While I probably wouldn't normally hardcode a string literal, this > should
> > > give you the idea to get started.
> > >
> > > Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
> > > System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
> > > If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
> > > TextBox1.Text = ""
> > > End If
> > > End Sub
> > >
> > > Or, to keep the default text there until they start typing:
> > > Private Sub TextBox1_GotFoc us(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
> > > System.EventArg s) Handles TextBox1.GotFoc us
> > > If TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name here" Then
> > > TextBox1.Select All()
> > > End If
> > > End Sub
> > >
> > >
> > > "Jane Sharpe" <JS**@hotmail.c om> wrote in message
> > > news:bu******** **@hercules.bti nternet.com...
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > I have a textbox with the words "Enter your name here"

inserted as > > default
> > > > text - At the moment, to remove this the user must highlight

all the

> > text
> > > > and delete before they type in their name - I've seen sites

where all
> > this
> > > > text dissapears as soon as the user clicks on it - how do I do

that

?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > > Jane
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
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