TextCounter Control
The TextCounter control displays the number of characters or words within a
textbox. It assists users when there are limits to the size of text they can
enter. It compliments, but does not replace the
TextLengthValidator/WordCountValidator, because it does not impose a limit. It
merely communicates the count and if a limit is exceeded.
Here are its features:
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Evaluates the size of the text as compared to a maximum and possibly a minimum.
-
Evaluates either the number of characters or the number of words
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Its text and optionally style sheet changes as the text size changes:
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Below the minimum
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Between the minimum and the next milestone
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At or above a milestone prior to the maximum, such as 20 characters left
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At or above a second milestone prior to the maximum, such as 10 characters
left, to allow further emphasis that the user is reaching the maximum
-
Above the maximum
See Demo 2.
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The text shown supports tokens that can be replaced by the current count,
minimum, maximum, and how much it exceeds the maximum.
-
It can be shown on the page like a label and/or in the Interactive Hints
feature. When in a Hint, it is hidden except when focus is on the textbox. (See
Demo 3)
Demo 1 - Counting without limits
Character count:
ASP.NET Syntax for this demo
<P>
<asp:TextBox id="TextBox1" runat="server" Width="400px" TextMode="MultiLine"
Rows="5"></asp:TextBox>
</P><P>Character count:
<des:TextCounter id="TextCounter1" runat="server"
TextBoxControlID="TextBox1"></des:TextCounter>
</P>
Demo 2: Counting with minimum and maximum limits
Limits used here are a minimum of 5 and maximum of 20. The limits are
established on the TextLengthValidator.
Character count:
ASP.NET Syntax for this demo
<P>
<asp:TextBox id="TextBox2" runat="server" Width="400px" TextMode="MultiLine"
Rows="5"></asp:TextBox>
<des:TextLengthValidator id="Textlengthvalidator2" runat="server"
ControlIDToEvaluate="TextBox2" Minimum="5" Maximum="20"
ErrorMessage="Exceeds the character limit of {MINIMUM}
to {MAXIMUM} by {EXCEEDS}." >
<ErrorFormatterContainer>
<des:TextErrorFormatter></des:TextErrorFormatter>
</ErrorFormatterContainer>
</des:TextLengthValidator></P>
<P>Character count:
<des:TextCounter id="TextCounter2" runat="server"
TextBoxControlID="TextBox2" Milestone2="5"></des:TextCounter>
Demo 3: TextCounter in a Hint
The DES Enhanced TextBox is used to provide the hint feature.
ASP.NET Syntax for this demo
<P>
<des:TextBox id="TextBox3" runat="server" Width="400px" TextMode="MultiLine"
Rows="5"></des:TextBox>
</P>
<des:TextCounter id="TextCounter3" runat="server"
TextBoxControlID="TextBox3" DisplayMode="Hint"></des:TextCounter>
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