What is The maxLength Property?
The maxLength property, part of the HTMLTextAreaElement interface, sets the maximum number of characters allowed in a text area's value. This is crucial for data validation and ensuring data integrity.
It directly reflects the element's maxlength attribute in HTML. If maxlength is not specified, the property's value defaults to indicating no limit. Browsers generally enforce the character limit, preventing users from exceeding the set maximum. Exceeding this limit will render the element invalid.
Practical Implementation and Examples
To set the maxLength property, you can either directly modify the HTML attribute (e.g., ) or use JavaScript.
In JavaScript, you can access and modify the maxLength property of a textarea element. For instance, document.getElementById('myTextArea').maxLength = 100; sets a maximum length of 100 characters. Remember that this sets the maximum number of UTF-16 code units permitted within the text area.
“The maxLength property provides a straightforward mechanism for limiting user input, enhancing data quality and user experience.
Web Developer's Guide
Interactive Examples
See maxLength in Action!
Character Counter
A live example demonstrating how to use `maxLength` and JavaScript to display remaining characters.
Compatibility Browser Support
The maxLength property has broad browser compatibility, working across many devices and browser versions since July 2015. This widespread support makes it a reliable choice for your projects.
Always refer to the MDN documentation for detailed compatibility tables and information on specific browser behaviors.