1.) “function clearMe(formfield)”

This is the function that is defined in the script. (”function” is a general or common variable used in Javascript. It can refer to anything you want it to as long as you define it.) In this case, “clearMe” is referring to a FORM or input.

2.) “if (formfield.defaultValue==formfield.value)
formfield.value = “””

“if” is a boolean term used to say, “If this is the current state of”. Then you define the state that something must be in to activate the function called upon. So basically this says, “IF the FORMFIELD’s DEFAULTVALUE is equal to NOTHING, then do THIS.” you can basically tell the script to activate itself when the contents of your formfield equal what you are defining in the formfield,value=”VALUEHERE” part.

3.) –input type=”text” name=”” size=”xx” value=”xx” onfocus=”clearMe(this)”>

This is where you are putting your INPUT form field. It is a TEXT input field whose NAME is whatever you want it to be… The size of the field (in width of characters) is defined after that. The DEFAULT VALUE (what you want in the field when you first see it…) is defined in “VALUE”.

“onFocus” basically means “when you click this with your mouse” or ‘bring this field into focus’ as it were…

“clearMe(this)” is the defined action for “onFocus”. This action refers back to the defined function in the Javascript above, you’ll notice. By calling “clearMe” when the box is empty, the form is then calling upon the script and the defined action inside of it.

So what this means is that when you bring click the box to bring it into focus, the defined action is that the script will clear the box.

Wow I sure I hope I made SOME sense in all of this. I’m tired and was actually just about to go to bed.

I hope that helps.

Cyryl

Regards,
Mack McMillan

–head–

–script type=”text/javascript”>
function clearMe(formfield){
if (formfield.defaultValue==formfield.value)
formfield.value = “”
}
–/script–

–/head–

–body–

–input type=”text” name=”" size=”xx” value=”xx” onfocus=”clearMe(this)”>

–/body–

This code is set to clear the field each time you click the field. If you use TAB or ALT+TAB to navigate back to the field, it just highlights the text… You can then press END to go to the end of the text and continue typing or use your arrow keys to go to what you want to edit…

But most people will use their mouse to go back into the field. How do we prevent the field from clearing itself onClick after it’s been edited once before?