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The Editable Text Area component for Retool Apps

A click-to-edit input field to enter multiple lines of text.

Editable Text Area is a multi-line input field for text values. It functions similarly to Text Area but renders as plain text until clicked.

Settings

Editable Text Area includes the following configurable options when building apps in the IDE.

CapitalizeEnable browser autofillAutofill typeDisabledEdit iconEvent handlersForm data keyHide validation messageHelper textShow on desktopShow on mobileLabelAlignmentLabelsPositionWidthWidth (units)Allow wrappingLoadingMaintain space when hiddenMarginMax lengthMin lengthRegexPlaceholderRead onlyRequiredShow character countAlways show in edit modeEnable spell checkStylesHelper textValue

Properties

All properties for Editable Text Area with supported data types or values. You can write JavaScript almost anywhere in Retool to manipulate or read property values.

The type of automatic capitalization that the browser can automatically perform when using virtual or on-screen keyboards.

Values
none

No capitalization.

sentences

Capitalize sentences.

words

Capitalize words.

characters

Capitalize characters.


Whether the browser can perform autocomplete on the input field.


The data type of the input field for browsers to autofill if autoComplete is true.


Whether input, interaction, selection, or triggering is disabled.


The icon to display that indicates an editable value.


events

object[]

A list of configured event handlers that trigger actions or queries.

Properties

event

enum

The event type.

Values
change

A user changes the value.

click

A user clicks or taps the component.

submit

A user submits the value.

focus

A user selects the input field.

blur

A user deselects the input field.

scan

A user scans a barcode.

open

A user opens the component.

close

A user closes the component.

true

A user sets the value to true.

false

A user sets the value to false.

select

A user selects a value.

clear

A user clears the value.

upload

A user uploads a file.

parse

An uploaded file is parsed.

inputValueChange

A user changes the value of the input field.


method

enum

The JavaScript method to perform when type is datasource, widget, state, or localStorage.


The type of action to perform.

Values
datasource

Control query.

widget

Control component.

script

Run script.

state

Set variable.

localStorage

Set localStorage.

util

Perform utility action (e.g., Open URL or Confetti).



The key used by a Form component to assign default values to input fields using form.initialData, and to construct the form.data property.


global

boolean

Whether the object is globally scoped for use in all app pages.


boolean

Whether the component is visible.


Whether to hide the validation message if the invalid is true.


id

string

The unique identifier.


The tooltip text to display.


inputValue

string

The or most recently entered value.


invalid

boolean

Whether the value has failed any validation rules.


Whether the component is visible in the desktop layout.


Whether the component is visible in the mobile layout.


label

string

The text label to display.


The horizontal alignment of the label.

Values
left

Left of the input field.

top

Above the input field.


The label for the node.


The position of the label relative to the input field or value.

Values
top

Above the input field or value.

left

Left of the input field or value.


The label width, in the unit specified in labelWidthUnit.


The specified units for labelWidth, if labelPosition is left.

Values
%

Percent.

px

Pixels.

col

Columns.


Whether the label can wrap to multiple lines.


loading

boolean

Whether to display a loading indicator.


Whether the component takes up space on the canvas if hidden is true.


The amount of margin to render outside.

Values
4px 8px

Normal margin.

0

No margin.


The maximum number of characters to allow.


The minimum number of characters to allow.


A JavaScript regular expression, without forward slashes around the pattern, to validate input if patternType is regex.


The text to display within the input field when there is no value.


pluginType

string

The plugin type.


Whether user input is read-only.


Whether a value is required.


Whether to display a character count with the input field.


Whether to remain visible in the editor if hidden is true.


Whether the browser can perform spellcheck on the input field.


style

object

Custom style options in use. Not all style options may be available for all components.


The tooltip text to display.


validationMessage

string

The validation message to display if invalid is true.


value

string

The value.


Methods

JavaScript API methods for interacting with Editable Text Area. You can write JavaScript almost anywhere in Retool and use methods to manipulate data and property values.

clearValidation

Clear the validation message from the input field.

editableTextArea.clearValidation()

clearValue

Clear the current values.

editableTextArea.clearValue()

focus

Set focus on the input field.

editableTextArea.focus()

resetValue

Reset the current value to the default value.

editableTextArea.resetValue()

scrollIntoView

Scrolls the canvas or parent container so that the selected component appears in the visible area.

editableTextArea.scrollIntoView(scrollIntoViewOptions)
Parameters

scrollIntoViewOptions

object

The scroll options.

Properties

behavior

enum

The scroll behavior.

Values
auto

Scroll immediately to the specified position.

smooth

Scroll gradually to the specified position.


block

enum

The scroll position relative to the component.

Values
nearest

Scrolls only the minimum amount required for the component to appear in the visible area. Scrolling does not occur if the component is already in view.

start

Scrolls to position the component at the top of the visible area.

center

Scrolls to position the component in the middle of the visible area.

end

Scrolls to position the component at the bottom of the visible area.




setHidden

Set the hidden value to toggle whether the component is visible. Defaults to true without a parameter.

editableTextArea.setHidden(hidden)
Parameters

boolean

Whether the component is visible.



setValue

Set the current value.

editableTextArea.setValue(value)
Parameters

value

string

The value.



Events

Events are triggered by user interactions, such as clicking a button or entering a value. Use event handlers to trigger queries or other actions in response to events.

blur

The input field is blurred.


change

The value is changed.


focus

The input field is focused.