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Textarea placeholder Property

< Textarea Object

Example

Change the placeholder text of a text area:

document.getElementById("myTextarea").placeholder = "Where do you live?";
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Definition and Usage

The placeholder property sets or returns the value of the placeholder attribute of a text area.

The placeholder attribute specifies a short hint that describes the expected value of a text area (e.g. a sample value or a short description of the expected format).

The hint is displayed in the text area when it is empty, and disappears when the field gets focus.


Browser Support

Internet Explorer Firefox Opera Google Chrome Safari

The placeholder property is supported in all major browsers.

Note: The placeholder property is not supported in Internet Explorer 9 and earlier versions.


Syntax

Return the placeholder property:

textareaObject.placeholder

Set the placeholder property:

textareaObject.placeholder=text

Property Values

Value Description
text Specifies a short hint (one word or a short phrase) that describes the expected value of the text area

Technical Details

Return Value: A String, representing a short hint that describes the expected value of the text area

More Examples

Example

Get the placeholder text of a text area:

var x = document.getElementById("myTextarea").placeholder;

The result of x will be:

Your address..
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Related Pages

HTML reference: HTML <textarea> placeholder attribute


< Textarea Object