How to trigger backspace on a textfield?

Question

Say I have this:

<textarea id="myarea">Hello</textarea>

How would i trigger backspace on that textarea possibly using trigger() and key codes. The code for backspace is 8. And i am not looking for this:

$('#myarea').val( $("myarea").val().slice(0,-1) );

I need to simulate someone actually pressing the 'backspace' key on their keyboard. Thanks

Arnst

Do you mean that when he tried to type it delete or when he click a reset button or something the text erase in a backspace way ? – Paraformaldehyde

Answer 1

You can create a keydown event:

var e = jQuery.Event("keydown", { keyCode: 20 });

Then trigger it in your textarea:

$("#myarea").trigger( e );

Update:

After doing some more research and testing, I realize that this solution does NOT simulate a natural keypress event on the HTML element. This method only triggers the keydown event, it does not replicate the user going into the element and pressing that key.

To simulate the user going into that textbox and pressing that key, you would have to create a dispatch event

The dispatch event is also not globally supported. Your best bet would be to trigger the keydown event and then update the text area as intended.

Chenee

You are doing nothing wrong. Read the updated post for more info – Chenee

Answer 2

I found this:

http://forum.jquery.com/topic/simulating-keypress-events (answer number 2).

Something like this should work, or at least give you an idea:

<div id="hola"></div>

$(function(){
    var press = jQuery.Event("keyup");
    press.ctrlKey = false;
    press.which = 40;

    $('#hola').keyup(function(e){
        alert(e.which);
    })
   .trigger(press); // Trigger the event
});

Demo: http://jsfiddle.net/qtPcF/1/

Imprimatur

Answer 3

You shouldn't be forcing key events in js. Try simulating the character removal instead.

const start = textarea.selectionStart - 1;
const value = textarea.value;
const newValue = value.substring(0, start) + value.substring(start + 1);
textarea.value = newValue;

Or if you just want the event, instead call the handler directly, rather than forcing the event. This is too hacky.

Pierides

I agree that we should not force keyboard events, It is an exquisite solution, thank you! – Shutt