# Class TextField

java.lang.Object
com.codename1.ui.Component
com.codename1.ui.TextArea
com.codename1.ui.TextField

All Implemented Interfaces:
  `Animation, Editable, ActionSource, StyleListener, TextHolder`

Direct Known Subclasses:
  `AutoCompleteTextField`

public class TextField extends TextArea

A specialized version of `com.codename1.ui.TextArea` with some minor deviations from the original specifically:

- Blinking cursor is rendered on `TextField` only

- `com.codename1.ui.events.DataChangeListener` is only available in `TextField`. This is crucial for character by character input event tracking

- `com.codename1.ui.TextField#setDoneListener(com.codename1.ui.events.ActionListener)` is only available in `TextField`

- Different UIID's ("`TextField`" vs. "`TextArea`")

The demo code below shows simple input using text fields:

    TableLayout tl;
    int spanButton = 2;
    if(Display.getInstance().isTablet()) {
        tl = new TableLayout(7, 2);
    } else {
        tl = new TableLayout(14, 1);
        spanButton = 1;
    }
    tl.setGrowHorizontally(true);
    hi.setLayout(tl);

    TextField firstName = new TextField("", "First Name", 20, TextArea.ANY);
    TextField surname = new TextField("", "Surname", 20, TextArea.ANY);
    TextField email = new TextField("", "E-Mail", 20, TextArea.EMAILADDR);
    TextField url = new TextField("", "URL", 20, TextArea.URL);
    TextField phone = new TextField("", "Phone", 20, TextArea.PHONENUMBER);

    TextField num1 = new TextField("", "1234", 4, TextArea.NUMERIC);
    TextField num2 = new TextField("", "1234", 4, TextArea.NUMERIC);
    TextField num3 = new TextField("", "1234", 4, TextArea.NUMERIC);
    TextField num4 = new TextField("", "1234", 4, TextArea.NUMERIC);

    Button submit = new Button("Submit");
    TableLayout.Constraint cn = tl.createConstraint();
    cn.setHorizontalSpan(spanButton);
    cn.setHorizontalAlign(Component.RIGHT);
    hi.add("First Name").add(firstName).
            add("Surname").add(surname).
            add("E-Mail").add(email).
            add("URL").add(url).
            add("Phone").add(phone).
            add("Credit Card").
                    add(GridLayout.encloseIn(4, num1, num2, num3, num4)).
            add(cn, submit);

The following code demonstrates a more advanced search widget where the data is narrowed as we type directly into the title area search. Notice that the `TextField` and its hint are styled to look like the title.

    Toolbar.setGlobalToolbar(true);
    Form hi = new Form("Toolbar", BoxLayout.y());
    Style s = UIManager.getInstance().getComponentStyle("Title");

    TextField searchField = new TextField("", "Toolbar Search");
    searchField.getHintLabel().setUIID("Title");
    searchField.setUIID("Title");
    searchField.getAllStyles().setAlignment(Component.LEFT);
    hi.getToolbar().setTitleComponent(searchField);

    FontImage searchIcon = FontImage.createMaterial(FontImage.MATERIAL_SEARCH, s);
    hi.getToolbar().addCommandToRightBar("", searchIcon, e -> searchField.startEditingAsync());

    hi.addAll(
            new Label("A Game of Thrones"),
            new Label("A Clash Of Kings"),
            new Label("A Storm Of Swords"),
            new Label("A Feast For Crows"),
            new Label("A Dance With Dragons"));

    searchField.addDataChangedListener((type, index) -> {
        String text = searchField.getText().toLowerCase();
        for (Component cmp : hi.getContentPane()) {
            String value = ((Label) cmp).getText().toLowerCase();
            boolean show = text.length() == 0 || value.indexOf(text) > -1;
            cmp.setHidden(!show);
            cmp.setVisible(show);
        }
        hi.getContentPane().animateLayout(250);
    });

- ## Field Summary

  ### Fields inherited from class TextArea

  `ANY, DECIMAL, EMAILADDR, INITIAL_CAPS_SENTENCE, INITIAL_CAPS_WORD, NON_PREDICTIVE, NUMERIC, PASSWORD, PHONENUMBER, SENSITIVE, UNEDITABLE, UPPERCASE, URL, USERNAME`

  ### Fields inherited from class Component

  `BASELINE, BOTTOM, BRB_CENTER_OFFSET, BRB_CONSTANT_ASCENT, BRB_CONSTANT_DESCENT, BRB_OTHER, CENTER, CROSSHAIR_CURSOR, DEFAULT_CURSOR, DRAG_REGION_IMMEDIATELY_DRAG_X, DRAG_REGION_IMMEDIATELY_DRAG_XY, DRAG_REGION_IMMEDIATELY_DRAG_Y, DRAG_REGION_LIKELY_DRAG_X, DRAG_REGION_LIKELY_DRAG_XY, DRAG_REGION_LIKELY_DRAG_Y, DRAG_REGION_NOT_DRAGGABLE, DRAG_REGION_POSSIBLE_DRAG_X, DRAG_REGION_POSSIBLE_DRAG_XY, DRAG_REGION_POSSIBLE_DRAG_Y, E_RESIZE_CURSOR, HAND_CURSOR, LEFT, MOVE_CURSOR, N_RESIZE_CURSOR, NE_RESIZE_CURSOR, NW_RESIZE_CURSOR, RIGHT, S_RESIZE_CURSOR, SE_RESIZE_CURSOR, SW_RESIZE_CURSOR, TEXT_CURSOR, TOP, W_RESIZE_CURSOR, WAIT_CURSOR`

- ## Constructor Summary

  Constructors
  Constructor
  Description
  `TextField()`
  Default constructor
  `TextField(int columns)`
  Construct a text field with space reserved for columns
  `TextField(String text)`
  Construct text field
  `TextField(String text, int columns)`
  Construct text field
  `TextField(String text, String hint)`
  Construct text field with a hint
  `TextField(String text, String hint, int columns, int constraint)`
  Construct text field with a hint, columns and constraint values

- ## Method Summary

  Modifier and Type
  Method
  Description
  `static void`
  `addInputMode(String name, Hashtable values, boolean firstUpcase)`
  Adds a new inputmode hashtable with the given name and set of values
  `boolean`
  `animate()`
  Allows the animation to reduce "repaint" calls when it returns false.
  `protected Dimension`
  `calcPreferredSize()`
  Calculates the preferred size based on component content.
  `protected TextSelection.Spans`
  `calculateTextSelectionSpan(TextSelection sel)`
  Calculates the spans for the the given text selection.
  `void`
  `clear()`
  Clears the text from the TextField
  `protected void`
  `commitChange()`
  Commit the changes made to the text field as a complete edit operation.
  `static TextArea`
  `create()`
  Default factory method
  `static TextArea`
  `create(int columns)`
  Construct text field/area depending on whether native in place editing is supported
  `static TextArea`
  `create(String text)`
  Construct text field/area depending on whether native in place editing is supported
  `static TextArea`
  `create(String text, int columns)`
  Construct text field/area depending on whether native in place editing is supported
  `protected Container`
  `createSymbolTable()`
  Creates a symbol table container used by the showSymbolDialog method.
  `protected void`
  `deinitialize()`
  Invoked to indicate that the component initialization is being reversed since the component was detached from the container hierarchy.
  `void`
  `deleteChar()`
  Performs a backspace operation
  `protected void`
  `fireClicked()`
  When working in 3 softbutton mode "fire" key (center softbutton) is sent to this method in order to allow 3 button devices to work properly.
  `protected char`
  `getCharPerKeyCode(int pressCount, int keyCode, boolean longClick)`
  Returns the character matching the given key code after the given amount of user presses
  `int`
  `getCommitTimeout()`
  The amount of time in milliseconds it will take for a change to get committed into the field.
  `int`
  `getCursorBlinkTimeOff()`
  The amount of time in milliseconds in which the cursor is invisible
  `int`
  `getCursorBlinkTimeOn()`
  The amount of time in milliseconds in which the cursor is visible
  `int`
  `getCursorPosition()`
  Returns the position of the cursor char position
  `int`
  `getCursorX()`
  Returns the position of the cursor char position in the current line.
  `int`
  `getCursorY()`
  Returns the position of the cursor line position
  `static int`
  `getDefaultChangeInputModeKey()`
  Key to change the input mode on the device
  `static String[]`
  `getDefaultInputModeOrder()`
  Returns the order in which input modes are toggled by default
  `static int`
  `getDefaultSymbolDialogKey()`
  The default key for poping open the symbol dialog
  `String`
  `getInputMode()`
  Returns the currently selected input mode
  `String[]`
  `getInputModeOrder()`
  Returns the order in which input modes are toggled
  `protected int`
  `getLongClickDuration()`
  The amount of time considered as a "long click" causing the long click method to be invoked.
  `protected String`
  `getLongClickInputMode()`
  Returns the input mode for the ong click mode
  `static char[]`
  `getSymbolTable()`
  Returns the symbol table for the device
  `void`
  `insertChars(String c)`
  This method is responsible for adding a character into the field and is the focal point for all input.
  `protected Command`
  `installCommands(Command clear, Command t9)`
  Installs the clear and t9 commands onto the parent form, this method can be overriden to provide device specific placement for these commands
  `protected boolean`
  `isChangeInputMode(int keyCode)`
  Indicates whether the key changes the current input mode
  `protected boolean`
  `isClearKey(int keyCode)`
  Returns true if this is the clear key on the device, many devices don't contain a clear key and even in those that contain it this might be an issue
  `protected boolean`
  `isCursorPositionCycle()`
  Returns true if the cursor should cycle to the beginning of the text when the user navigates beyond the edge of the text and visa versa.
  `protected boolean`
  `isEditingEndTrigger(int keyCode)`
  Indicates whether the given key code should be ignored or should trigger cause editing to end.
  `protected boolean`
  `isEditingTrigger(int keyCode)`
  Indicates whether the given key code should be ignored or should trigger editing, by default fire or any numeric key should trigger editing implicitly.
  `boolean`
  `isEnableInputScroll()`
  Indicates whether text field input should scroll to the right side when no more room for the input is present.
  `protected boolean`
  `isImmediateInputMode(String mode)`
  Returns true if the given input mode should commit immediately or wait for the commit timeout
  `boolean`
  `isLeftAndRightEditingTrigger()`
  Indicates whether the left/right keys will trigger editing, this is true by default.
  `boolean`
  `isOverwriteMode()`
  Indicates that this is the overwrite mode
  `boolean`
  `isPendingCommit()`
  Returns true if the text field is waiting for a commit on editing
  `static boolean`
  `isQwertyAutoDetect()`
  Indicates whether the text field should try to auto detect qwerty and switch the qwerty device flag implicitly
  `static boolean`
  `isQwertyDevice()`
  The default value for the qwerty flag so it doesn't need setting for every text field individually.
  `boolean`
  `isQwertyInput()`
  True is this is a qwerty device or a device that is currently in qwerty mode.
  `boolean`
  `isReplaceMenu()`
  Indicates whether the menu of the form should be replaced with the T9/Clear commands for the duration of interactivity with the text field
  `static boolean`
  `isReplaceMenuDefault()`
  Indicates whether the menu of the form should be replaced with the T9/Clear commands for the duration of interactivity with the text field
  `protected boolean`
  `isSelectableInteraction()`
  This method allows a component to indicate that it is interested in an "implicit" select command to appear in the "fire" button when 3 softbuttons are defined in a device.
  `protected boolean`
  `isSymbolDialogKey(int keyCode)`
  Returns true if this keycode is the one mapping to the symbol dialog popup
  `static boolean`
  `isUseNativeTextInput()`
  Indicates that native text input should be used in text field when in place editing is supported by the platform
  `boolean`
  `isUseSoftkeys()`
  When set to true softkeys are used to enable delete functionality
  `void`
  `keyPressed(int keyCode)`
  If this Component is focused, the key pressed event will call this method
  `void`
  `keyReleased(int keyCode)`
  If this Component is focused, the key released event will call this method
  `void`
  `keyRepeated(int keyCode)`
  If this Component is focused, the key repeat event will call this method.
  `protected void`
  `longKeyPress(int keyCode)`
  If this Component is focused this method is invoked when the user presses and holds the key
  `void`
  `paint(Graphics g)`
  This method paints the Component on the screen, it should be overriden by subclasses to perform custom drawing or invoke the UI API's to let the PLAF perform the rendering.
  `void`
  `pointerReleased(int x, int y)`
  If this Component is focused, the pointer released event will call this method
  `protected void`
  `removeCommands(Command clear, Command t9, Command originalClear)`
  Removes the clear and t9 commands from the parent form, this method can be overriden to provide device specific placement for these commands
  `static void`
  `setClearText(String text)`
  Set the text that should appear on the clear softkey
  `void`
  `setCommitTimeout(int commitTimeout)`
  The amount of time in milliseconds it will take for a change to get committed into the field.
  `void`
  `setCursorBlinkTimeOff(int time)`
  The amount of time in milliseconds in which the cursor is invisible
  `void`
  `setCursorBlinkTimeOn(int time)`
  The amount of time in milliseconds in which the cursor is visible
  `void`
  `setCursorPosition(int pos)`
  Sets the position of the cursor char position
  `static void`
  `setDefaultChangeInputModeKey(int k)`
  Key to change the input mode on the device
  `static void`
  `setDefaultInputModeOrder(String[] order)`
  Sets the order in which input modes are toggled by default and allows disabling/hiding an input mode
  `static void`
  `setDefaultSymbolDialogKey(int d)`
  The default key for poping open the symbol dialog
  `void`
  `setEditable(boolean b)`
  Sets this text area to be editable or readonly
  `void`
  `setEnableInputScroll(boolean enableInputScroll)`
  Indicates whether text field input should scroll to the right side when no more room for the input is present.
  `void`
  `setInputMode(String inputMode)`
  Sets the current selected input mode matching one of the existing input modes
  `void`
  `setInputModeOrder(String[] order)`
  Sets the order in which input modes are toggled and allows disabling/hiding an input mode
  `void`
  `setLeftAndRightEditingTrigger(boolean leftAndRightEditingTrigger)`
  Indicates whether the left/right keys will trigger editing, this is true by default.
  `void`
  `setOverwriteMode(boolean overwriteMode)`
  Indicates that this is the overwrite mode
  `static void`
  `setQwertyAutoDetect(boolean v)`
  Indicates whether the text field should try to auto detect qwerty and switch the qwerty device flag implicitly
  `static void`
  `setQwertyDevice(boolean v)`
  The default value for the qwerty flag so it doesn't need setting for every text field individually.
  `void`
  `setQwertyInput(boolean qwerty)`
  True is this is a qwerty device or a device that is currently in qwerty mode.
  `void`
  `setReplaceMenu(boolean replaceMenu)`
  Indicates whether the menu of the form should be replaced with the T9/Clear commands for the duration of interactivity with the text field
  `static void`
  `setReplaceMenuDefault(boolean replaceMenu)`
  Indicates whether the menu of the form should be replaced with the T9/Clear commands for the duration of interactivity with the text field
  `static void`
  `setSymbolTable(char[] table)`
  Sets the symbol table to show when the user clicks the symbol table key
  `static void`
  `setT9Text(String text)`
  Set the text that should appear on the T9 softkey
  `void`
  `setText(String text)`
  Sets the text within this text area
  `static void`
  `setUseNativeTextInput(boolean aUseNativeTextInput)`
  Indicates that native text input should be used in text field when in place editing is supported by the platform
  `void`
  `setUseSoftkeys(boolean useSoftkeys)`
  When set to true softkeys are used to enable delete functionality
  `protected void`
  `showSymbolDialog()`
  Invoked to show the symbol dialog, this method can be overriden by subclasses to manipulate the symbol table
  `boolean`
  `validChar(String c)`
  Checks if the candidate input is valid for this TextField

  ### Methods inherited from class TextArea

  `addActionListener, addCloseListener, addDataChangedListener, addDataChangeListener, autoDetectWidestChar, bindProperty, calcScrollSize, fireDataChanged, fireDoneEvent, fireDoneEvent, getAbsoluteAlignment, getActualRows, getAlignment, getAsDouble, getAsInt, getAsLong, getBindablePropertyNames, getBindablePropertyTypes, getBoundPropertyValue, getColumns, getConstraint, getDefaultValign, getDoneListener, getGrowLimit, getHint, getHintIcon, getHintLabel, getLines, getLinesToScroll, getMaxSize, getPreferredTabIndex, getRows, getRowsGap, getStyle, getText, getTextAt, getTextSelectionSupport, getUnsupportedChars, getVerticalAlignment, getWidestChar, initComponent, initLaf, isActAsLabel, isAutoDegradeMaxSize, isEditable, isEditing, isEndsWith3Points, isEnterKey, isGrowByContent, isScrollableY, isSingleLineTextArea, isTextSelectionEnabled, isUseStringWidth, pointerHover, pointerHoverReleased, preprocess, registerAsInputDevice, removeActionListener, removeCloseListener, removeDataChangedListener, removeDataChangeListener, setActAsLabel, setAlignment, setAutoDegradeMaxSize, setBoundPropertyValue, setColumns, setConstraint, setDefaultMaxSize, setDefaultValign, setDoneListener, setEndsWith3Points, setGrowByContent, setGrowLimit, setHint, setHint, setHintIcon, setLinesToScroll, setMaxSize, setRows, setRowsGap, setSingleLineTextArea, setTextSelectionEnabled, setUnsupportedChars, setUseStringWidth, setVerticalAlignment, setWidestChar, setWidth, shouldRenderComponentSelection, startEditing, startEditingAsync, stopEditing, stopEditing, unbindProperty`

  ### Methods inherited from class Component

  `addContextMenuListener, addDragFinishedListener, addDragOverListener, addDropListener, addFocusListener, addLongPressListener, addMouseWheelListener, addPointerDraggedListener, addPointerPressedListener, addPointerReleasedListener, addPullToRefresh, addScrollListener, addStateChangeListener, addStylusListener, announceForAccessibility, blocksSideSwipe, cancelRepaints, clearClientProperties, contains, containsOrOwns, createStyleAnimation, deinitializeCustomStyle, dragEnter, dragExit, dragFinished, draggingOver, dragInitiated, drawDraggedImage, drop, focusGained, focusLost, getAbsoluteX, getAbsoluteY, getAccessibilityText, getAllStyles, getAnimationManager, getBaseline, getBaselineResizeBehavior, getBorder, getBottomGap, getBounds, getBounds, getClientProperty, getCloudBoundProperty, getCloudDestinationProperty, getComponentForm, getComponentState, getCursor, getDefaultDragTransparency, getDirtyRegion, getDisabledStyle, getDraggedx, getDraggedy, getDragImage, getDragRegionStatus, getDragSpeed, getDragTransparency, getEditingDelegate, getGridPosX, getGridPosY, getHeight, getInlineAllStyles, getInlineDisabledStyles, getInlinePressedStyles, getInlineSelectedStyles, getInlineStylesTheme, getInlineUnselectedStyles, getInnerHeight, getInnerPreferredH, getInnerPreferredW, getInnerWidth, getInnerX, getInnerY, getLabelForComponent, getName, getNativeOverlay, getNextFocusDown, getNextFocusLeft, getNextFocusRight, getNextFocusUp, getOuterHeight, getOuterPreferredH, getOuterPreferredW, getOuterWidth, getOuterX, getOuterY, getOwner, getParent, getPreferredH, getPreferredSize, getPreferredSizeStr, getPreferredW, getPressedStyle, getPropertyNames, getPropertyTypeNames, getPropertyTypes, getPropertyValue, getSameHeight, getSameWidth, getScrollable, getScrollAnimationSpeed, getScrollDimension, getScrollOpacity, getScrollOpacityChangeSpeed, getScrollX, getScrollY, getSelectCommandText, getSelectedRect, getSelectedStyle, getSideGap, getTabIndex, getTensileLength, getTooltip, getUIID, getUIManager, getUnselectedStyle, getVisibleBounds, getVisibleBounds, getWidth, getX, getY, growShrink, handlesInput, hasFixedPreferredSize, hasFocus, hideNativeOverlay, initCustomStyle, initDisabledStyle, initPressedStyle, initSelectedStyle, initUnselectedStyle, installDefaultPainter, isAlwaysTensile, isBlockLead, isCellRenderer, isChildOf, isDragActivated, isDragAndDropOperation, isDraggable, isDragRegion, isDropTarget, isEnabled, isFlatten, isFocusable, isGrabsPointerEvents, isHidden, isHidden, isHideInLandscape, isHideInPortrait, isHScrollThumbGrabbed, isHScrollThumbHover, isIgnorePointerEvents, isInClippingRegion, isInitialized, isOpaque, isOwnedBy, isPinchBlocksDragAndDrop, isRippleEffect, isRTL, isScrollable, isScrollableX, isScrollVisible, isSetCursorSupported, isSmoothScrolling, isSnapToGrid, isStickyDrag, isTactileTouch, isTactileTouch, isTensileDragEnabled, isTraversable, isVisible, isVScrollThumbGrabbed, isVScrollThumbHover, laidOut, longPointerPress, onScrollX, onScrollY, onSetFocusable, paintBackground, paintBackgrounds, paintBorder, paintBorderBackground, paintComponent, paintComponent, paintIntersectingComponentsAbove, paintLock, paintLockRelease, paintRippleOverlay, paintScrollbars, paintScrollbarX, paintScrollbarY, paintShadows, paramString, parsePreferredSize, pinch, pinch, pinchReleased, pointerDragged, pointerDragged, pointerHoverPressed, pointerPressed, pointerPressed, pointerReleased, putClientProperty, refreshTheme, refreshTheme, refreshTheme, remove, removeContextMenuListener, removeDragFinishedListener, removeDragOverListener, removeDropListener, removeFocusListener, removeLongPressListener, removeMouseWheelListener, removePointerDraggedListener, removePointerPressedListener, removePointerReleasedListener, removeScrollListener, removeStateChangeListener, removeStylusListener, repaint, repaint, requestFocus, resetFocusable, respondsToPointerEvents, rotation, scrollRectToVisible, scrollRectToVisible, setAccessibilityText, setAlwaysTensile, setBlockLead, setCellRenderer, setCloudBoundProperty, setCloudDestinationProperty, setComponentState, setCursor, setDefaultDragTransparency, setDirtyRegion, setDisabledStyle, setDraggable, setDragTransparency, setDropTarget, setEditingDelegate, setEnabled, setFlatten, setFocus, setFocusable, setGrabsPointerEvents, setHandlesInput, setHeight, setHidden, setHidden, setHideInLandscape, setHideInPortrait, setHorizontalScrollBounds, setIgnorePointerEvents, setInitialized, setInlineAllStyles, setInlineDisabledStyles, setInlinePressedStyles, setInlineSelectedStyles, setInlineStylesTheme, setInlineUnselectedStyles, setIsScrollVisible, setLabelForComponent, setName, setNextFocusDown, setNextFocusLeft, setNextFocusRight, setNextFocusUp, setOpaque, setOwner, setPinchBlocksDragAndDrop, setPreferredH, setPreferredSize, setPreferredSizeStr, setPreferredTabIndex, setPreferredW, setPressedStyle, setPropertyValue, setPullToRefresh, setRippleEffect, setRTL, setSameHeight, setSameSize, setSameWidth, setScrollAnimationSpeed, setScrollOpacityChangeSpeed, setScrollSize, setScrollVisible, setScrollX, setScrollY, setSelectCommandText, setSelectedStyle, setShouldCalcPreferredSize, setSize, setSmoothScrolling, setSnapToGrid, setTabIndex, setTactileTouch, setTensileDragEnabled, setTensileLength, setTooltip, setTraversable, setUIID, setUIID, setUIIDFinal, setUnselectedStyle, setVerticalScrollBounds, setVisible, setX, setY, shouldBlockSideSwipe, shouldBlockSideSwipeLeft, shouldBlockSideSwipeRight, showNativeOverlay, stripMarginAndPadding, styleChanged, toImage, toString, updateNativeOverlay, visibleBoundsContains`

  ### Methods inherited from class Object

  `clone, equals, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, wait, wait, wait`

- ## Constructor Details

  - ### TextField

    public TextField()
    Default constructor

  - ### TextField

    public TextField(int columns)

    Construct a text field with space reserved for columns

    ###### Parameters

    - `columns`: - the number of columns

  - ### TextField

    public TextField(String text)

    Construct text field

    ###### Parameters

    - `text`: the text of the field

  - ### TextField

    public TextField(String text, String hint)

    Construct text field with a hint

    ###### Parameters

    - `text`: the text of the field

    - `hint`: the hint string

  - ### TextField

    public TextField(String text, String hint, int columns, int constraint)

    Construct text field with a hint, columns and constraint values

    ###### Parameters

    - `text`: the text of the field

    - `hint`: the hint string

    - `columns`: columns value

    - `constraint`: the constraint value

  - ### TextField

    public TextField(String text, int columns)

    Construct text field

    ###### Parameters

    - `text`: the text of the field

    - `columns`: - the number of columns

- ## Method Details

  - ### isUseNativeTextInput

    public static boolean isUseNativeTextInput()

    Indicates that native text input should be used in text field when in place editing is supported by the platform

    ###### Returns

    the useNativeTextInput

    ###### Deprecated

    this API is no longer useful and should be avoided

  - ### setUseNativeTextInput

    public static void setUseNativeTextInput(boolean aUseNativeTextInput)

    Indicates that native text input should be used in text field when in place editing is supported by the platform

    ###### Parameters

    - `aUseNativeTextInput`: the useNativeTextInput to set

    ###### Deprecated

    this API is no longer useful and should be avoided

  - ### setClearText

    public static void setClearText(String text)

    Set the text that should appear on the clear softkey

    ###### Parameters

    - `text`: localized text for the clear softbutton

  - ### setT9Text

    public static void setT9Text(String text)

    Set the text that should appear on the T9 softkey

    ###### Parameters

    - `text`: text for the T9 softbutton

  - ### create

    public static TextArea create(String text, int columns)

    Construct text field/area depending on whether native in place editing is supported

    ###### Parameters

    - `text`: the text of the field

    - `columns`: - the number of columns

    ###### Returns

    a text field if native in place editing is unsupported and a text area if it is

  - ### create

    public static TextArea create()

    Default factory method

    ###### Returns

    a text field if native in place editing is unsupported and a text area if it is

  - ### create

    public static TextArea create(int columns)

    Construct text field/area depending on whether native in place editing is supported

    ###### Parameters

    - `columns`: - the number of columns

    ###### Returns

    a text field if native in place editing is unsupported and a text area if it is

  - ### create

    public static TextArea create(String text)

    Construct text field/area depending on whether native in place editing is supported

    ###### Parameters

    - `text`: the text of the field

    ###### Returns

    a text field if native in place editing is unsupported and a text area if it is

  - ### addInputMode

    public static void addInputMode(String name, Hashtable values, boolean firstUpcase)

    Adds a new inputmode hashtable with the given name and set of values

    ###### Parameters

    - `name`: a unique display name for the input mode e.g. ABC, 123 etc...

    - `values`: @param values The key for the hashtable is an Integer keyCode and the value is a String containing the characters to toggle between for the given keycode

    - `firstUpcase`: @param firstUpcase indicates if this input mode in an input mode used for the special case where the first letter is an upper case letter

    ###### Deprecated

    this is a method for use only on old J2ME devices and is ignored everywhere else

  - ### getDefaultInputModeOrder

    public static String[] getDefaultInputModeOrder()

    Returns the order in which input modes are toggled by default

    ###### Returns

    the default order of the input mode

    ###### Deprecated

    this is a method for use only on old J2ME devices and is ignored everywhere else

  - ### setDefaultInputModeOrder

    public static void setDefaultInputModeOrder(String[] order)

    Sets the order in which input modes are toggled by default and allows disabling/hiding an input mode

    ###### Parameters

    - `order`: the order for the input modes in all future created fields

    ###### Deprecated

    this is a method for use only on old J2ME devices and is ignored everywhere else

  - ### getSymbolTable

    public static char[] getSymbolTable()

    Returns the symbol table for the device

    ###### Returns

    the symbol table of the device for the symbol table input

  - ### setSymbolTable

    public static void setSymbolTable(char[] table)

    Sets the symbol table to show when the user clicks the symbol table key

    ###### Parameters

    - `table`: the symbol table of the device for the symbol table input

  - ### isReplaceMenuDefault

    public static boolean isReplaceMenuDefault()

    Indicates whether the menu of the form should be replaced with the T9/Clear commands for the duration of interactivity with the text field

    ###### Returns

    true if the menu should be replaced

  - ### setReplaceMenuDefault

    public static void setReplaceMenuDefault(boolean replaceMenu)

    Indicates whether the menu of the form should be replaced with the T9/Clear commands for the duration of interactivity with the text field

    ###### Parameters

    - `replaceMenu`: true if the menu should be replaced

  - ### isQwertyAutoDetect

    public static boolean isQwertyAutoDetect()

    Indicates whether the text field should try to auto detect qwerty and switch the qwerty device flag implicitly

    ###### Returns

    true for qwerty auto detection

  - ### setQwertyAutoDetect

    public static void setQwertyAutoDetect(boolean v)

    Indicates whether the text field should try to auto detect qwerty and switch the qwerty device flag implicitly

    ###### Parameters

    - `v`: true for qwerty auto detection

  - ### isQwertyDevice

    public static boolean isQwertyDevice()

    The default value for the qwerty flag so it doesn't need setting for every text field individually.

    ###### Returns

    true for qwerty devices

  - ### setQwertyDevice

    public static void setQwertyDevice(boolean v)

    The default value for the qwerty flag so it doesn't need setting for every text field individually.

    ###### Parameters

    - `v`: true for qwerty device

  - ### getDefaultChangeInputModeKey

    public static int getDefaultChangeInputModeKey()

    Key to change the input mode on the device

    ###### Returns

    key to change the input mode

    ###### Deprecated

    this is a method for use only on old J2ME devices and is ignored everywhere else

  - ### setDefaultChangeInputModeKey

    public static void setDefaultChangeInputModeKey(int k)

    Key to change the input mode on the device

    ###### Parameters

    - `k`: key to change the input mode

    ###### Deprecated

    this is a method for use only on old J2ME devices and is ignored everywhere else

  - ### getDefaultSymbolDialogKey

    public static int getDefaultSymbolDialogKey()

    The default key for poping open the symbol dialog

    ###### Returns

    the default key

  - ### setDefaultSymbolDialogKey

    public static void setDefaultSymbolDialogKey(int d)

    The default key for poping open the symbol dialog

    ###### Parameters

    - `d`: new key value

  - ### isEnableInputScroll

    public boolean isEnableInputScroll()

    Indicates whether text field input should scroll to the right side when no more room for the input is present.

    ###### Returns

    true if scrolling is enabled

    Overrides:
      `isEnableInputScroll` in class `TextArea`

  - ### setEnableInputScroll

    public void setEnableInputScroll(boolean enableInputScroll)

    Indicates whether text field input should scroll to the right side when no more room for the input is present.

    ###### Parameters

    - `enableInputScroll`: true to enable scrolling to the side

  - ### deleteChar

    public void deleteChar()
    Performs a backspace operation

  - ### commitChange

    protected void commitChange()
    Commit the changes made to the text field as a complete edit operation. This is used in a numeric keypad to allow the user to repeatedly press a number to change values.

  - ### isPendingCommit

    public boolean isPendingCommit()

    Returns true if the text field is waiting for a commit on editing

    ###### Returns

    true if a commit is pending

    Overrides:
      `isPendingCommit` in class `TextArea`

  - ### getCommitTimeout

    public int getCommitTimeout()

    The amount of time in milliseconds it will take for a change to get committed into the field.

    ###### Returns

    the time for a commit timeout

  - ### setCommitTimeout

    public void setCommitTimeout(int commitTimeout)

    The amount of time in milliseconds it will take for a change to get committed into the field.

    ###### Parameters

    - `commitTimeout`: @param commitTimeout indicates the amount of time that should elapse for a commit to automatically occur

  - ### getInputMode

    public String getInputMode()

    Returns the currently selected input mode

    ###### Returns

    ###### Deprecated

    this is a method for use only on old J2ME devices and is ignored everywhere else

    Overrides:
      `getInputMode` in class `TextArea`
    Returns:
      the display name of the input mode by default the following modes are supported: Abc, ABC, abc, 123

  - ### setInputMode

    public void setInputMode(String inputMode)

    Sets the current selected input mode matching one of the existing input modes

    ###### Parameters

    - `inputMode`: @param inputMode the display name of the input mode by default the following modes are supported: Abc, ABC, abc, 123

    ###### Deprecated

    this is a method for use only on old J2ME devices and is ignored everywhere else

  - ### isChangeInputMode

    protected boolean isChangeInputMode(int keyCode)

    Indicates whether the key changes the current input mode

    ###### Parameters

    - `keyCode`: the code

    ###### Returns

    true for the hash (#) key code

    ###### Deprecated

    this is a method for use only on old J2ME devices and is ignored everywhere else

  - ### getInputModeOrder

    public String[] getInputModeOrder()

    Returns the order in which input modes are toggled

    ###### Returns

    the order of the input modes

    Overrides:
      `getInputModeOrder` in class `TextArea`

  - ### setInputModeOrder

    public void setInputModeOrder(String[] order)

    Sets the order in which input modes are toggled and allows disabling/hiding an input mode

    ###### Parameters

    - `order`: the order for the input modes in this field

    ###### Deprecated

    this is a method for use only on old J2ME devices and is ignored everywhere else

  - ### getLongClickInputMode

    protected String getLongClickInputMode()

    Returns the input mode for the ong click mode

    ###### Returns

    returns 123 by default

  - ### getCharPerKeyCode

    protected char getCharPerKeyCode(int pressCount, int keyCode, boolean longClick)

    Returns the character matching the given key code after the given amount of user presses

    ###### Parameters

    - `pressCount`: number of times this keycode was pressed

    - `keyCode`: the actual keycode input by the user

    - `longClick`: does this click constitute a long click

    ###### Returns

    Returns:
      the char mapping to this key or 0 if no appropriate char was found (navigation, input mode change etc...).

  - ### getCursorPosition

    public int getCursorPosition()

    Returns the position of the cursor char position

    ###### Returns

    the cursor position

    Overrides:
      `getCursorPosition` in class `TextArea`

  - ### setCursorPosition

    public void setCursorPosition(int pos)

    Sets the position of the cursor char position

    ###### Parameters

    - `pos`: the cursor position

  - ### getCursorY

    public int getCursorY()

    Returns the position of the cursor line position

    ###### Returns

    the cursor line position

    Overrides:
      `getCursorY` in class `TextArea`

  - ### getCursorX

    public int getCursorX()

    Returns the position of the cursor char position in the current line.

    ###### Returns

    the cursor char position in the current line

    Overrides:
      `getCursorX` in class `TextArea`

  - ### setText

    public void setText(String text)

    Sets the text within this text area

    ###### Parameters

    - `t`: new value for the text area
    Specified by:
      `setText` in interface `TextHolder`
    Overrides:
      `setText` in class `TextArea`

  - ### clear

    public void clear()
    Clears the text from the TextField

  - ### isClearKey

    protected boolean isClearKey(int keyCode)

    Returns true if this is the clear key on the device, many devices don't contain a clear key and even in those that contain it this might be an issue

    ###### Parameters

    - `keyCode`: the key code that might be the clear key

    ###### Returns

    true if this is the clear key.

  - ### longKeyPress

    protected void longKeyPress(int keyCode)

    If this Component is focused this method is invoked when the user presses and holds the key

    ###### Parameters

    - `keyCode`: the key code value to indicate a physical key.
    Overrides:
      `longKeyPress` in class `Component`

  - ### isQwertyInput

    public boolean isQwertyInput()

    True is this is a qwerty device or a device that is currently in qwerty mode.

    ###### Returns

    currently defaults to false

    Overrides:
      `isQwertyInput` in class `TextArea`

  - ### setQwertyInput

    public void setQwertyInput(boolean qwerty)

    True is this is a qwerty device or a device that is currently in qwerty mode.

    ###### Parameters

    - `qwerty`: the value of qwerty mode

  - ### isImmediateInputMode

    protected boolean isImmediateInputMode(String mode)

    Returns true if the given input mode should commit immediately or wait for the commit timeout

    ###### Parameters

    - `mode`: the input mode

    ###### Returns

    returns true for input mode 123 by default

    ###### Deprecated

    this is a method for use only on old J2ME devices and is ignored everywhere else

  - ### insertChars

    public void insertChars(String c)

    This method is responsible for adding a character into the field and is the focal point for all input. It can be overriden to prevent a particular char from insertion or provide a different behavior for char insertion. It is the responsibility of this method to shift the cursor and invoke setText...

    This method accepts a string for the more elaborate cases such as multi-char input and paste.

    ###### Parameters

    - `c`: character for insertion

    ###### Deprecated

    this is a method for use only on old J2ME devices and is ignored everywhere else

  - ### validChar

    public boolean validChar(String c)

    Checks if the candidate input is valid for this TextField

    ###### Parameters

    - `c`: the String to insert

    ###### Returns

    true if the String is valid

  - ### showSymbolDialog

    protected void showSymbolDialog()
    Invoked to show the symbol dialog, this method can be overriden by subclasses to manipulate the symbol table

  - ### createSymbolTable

    protected Container createSymbolTable()

    Creates a symbol table container used by the showSymbolDialog method. This method is designed for subclases to override and customize.

    ###### Returns

    container for the symbol table.

  - ### keyReleased

    public void keyReleased(int keyCode)

    If this Component is focused, the key released event will call this method

    ###### Parameters

    - `keyCode`: the key code value to indicate a physical key.
    Overrides:
      `keyReleased` in class `TextArea`

  - ### getLongClickDuration

    protected int getLongClickDuration()

    The amount of time considered as a "long click" causing the long click method to be invoked.

    ###### Returns

    currently defaults to 800

  - ### isCursorPositionCycle

    protected boolean isCursorPositionCycle()

    Returns true if the cursor should cycle to the beginning of the text when the user navigates beyond the edge of the text and visa versa.

    ###### Returns

    true by default

  - ### isSymbolDialogKey

    protected boolean isSymbolDialogKey(int keyCode)

    Returns true if this keycode is the one mapping to the symbol dialog popup

    ###### Parameters

    - `keyCode`: the keycode to check

    ###### Returns

    true if this is the star symbol *

  - ### deinitialize

    protected void deinitialize()
    Invoked to indicate that the component initialization is being reversed since the component was detached from the container hierarchy. This allows the component to deregister animators and cleanup after itself. This method is the opposite of the initComponent() method.
    Overrides:
      `deinitialize` in class `TextArea`

  - ### setEditable

    public void setEditable(boolean b)

    Sets this text area to be editable or readonly

    ###### Parameters

    - `b`: true is text are is editable; otherwise false
    Overrides:
      `setEditable` in class `TextArea`

  - ### keyRepeated

    public void keyRepeated(int keyCode)

    If this Component is focused, the key repeat event will call this method.

    ###### Parameters

    - `keyCode`: the key code value to indicate a physical key.
    Overrides:
      `keyRepeated` in class `Component`

  - ### keyPressed

    public void keyPressed(int keyCode)

    If this Component is focused, the key pressed event will call this method

    ###### Parameters

    - `keyCode`: the key code value to indicate a physical key.
    Overrides:
      `keyPressed` in class `TextArea`

  - ### installCommands

    protected Command installCommands(Command clear, Command t9)

    Installs the clear and t9 commands onto the parent form, this method can be overriden to provide device specific placement for these commands

    ###### Parameters

    - `clear`: the clear command

    - `t9`: the t9 command

    ###### Returns

    Returns:
      clear command already installed in the form if applicable, none if no clear command was installed before or not applicable.

  - ### isSelectableInteraction

    protected boolean isSelectableInteraction()

    This method allows a component to indicate that it is interested in an "implicit" select command to appear in the "fire" button when 3 softbuttons are defined in a device.

    ###### Returns

    true if this is a selectable interaction

    Overrides:
      `isSelectableInteraction` in class `TextArea`

  - ### fireClicked

    protected void fireClicked()
    When working in 3 softbutton mode "fire" key (center softbutton) is sent to this method in order to allow 3 button devices to work properly. When overriding this method you should also override isSelectableInteraction to indicate that a command is placed appropriately on top of the fire key for 3 soft button phones.
    Overrides:
      `fireClicked` in class `TextArea`

  - ### removeCommands

    protected void removeCommands(Command clear, Command t9, Command originalClear)

    Removes the clear and t9 commands from the parent form, this method can be overriden to provide device specific placement for these commands

    ###### Parameters

    - `clear`: the clear command

    - `t9`: the t9 command

    - `originalClear`: the command originally assigned as the clear command (or null if no command was assigned before)

  - ### isEditingTrigger

    protected boolean isEditingTrigger(int keyCode)

    Indicates whether the given key code should be ignored or should trigger editing, by default fire or any numeric key should trigger editing implicitly. This method is only called when handles input is false.

    ###### Parameters

    - `keyCode`: the keycode passed to the keyPressed method

    ###### Returns

    true if this key code should cause a switch to editing mode.

  - ### isEditingEndTrigger

    protected boolean isEditingEndTrigger(int keyCode)

    Indicates whether the given key code should be ignored or should trigger cause editing to end. By default the fire key, up or down will trigger the end of editing.

    ###### Parameters

    - `keyCode`: the keycode passed to the keyPressed method

    ###### Returns

    true if this key code should cause a switch to editing mode.

  - ### paint

    public void paint(Graphics g)

    This method paints the Component on the screen, it should be overriden by subclasses to perform custom drawing or invoke the UI API's to let the PLAF perform the rendering.

    ###### Parameters

    - `g`: the component graphics
    Specified by:
      `paint` in interface `Animation`
    Overrides:
      `paint` in class `TextArea`

  - ### calcPreferredSize

    protected Dimension calcPreferredSize()

    Calculates the preferred size based on component content. This method is invoked lazily by getPreferred size.

    ###### Returns

    the calculated preferred size based on component content

    Overrides:
      `calcPreferredSize` in class `TextArea`

  - ### getCursorBlinkTimeOn

    public int getCursorBlinkTimeOn()

    The amount of time in milliseconds in which the cursor is visible

    ###### Returns

    time for the cursor to stay "on"

  - ### setCursorBlinkTimeOn

    public void setCursorBlinkTimeOn(int time)

    The amount of time in milliseconds in which the cursor is visible

    ###### Parameters

    - `time`: for the cursor to stay "on"

  - ### getCursorBlinkTimeOff

    public int getCursorBlinkTimeOff()

    The amount of time in milliseconds in which the cursor is invisible

    ###### Returns

    time for the cursor to stay "off"

  - ### setCursorBlinkTimeOff

    public void setCursorBlinkTimeOff(int time)

    The amount of time in milliseconds in which the cursor is invisible

    ###### Parameters

    - `time`: for the cursor to stay "off"

  - ### animate

    public boolean animate()

    Allows the animation to reduce "repaint" calls when it returns false. It is called once for every frame. Frames are defined by the `com.codename1.ui.Display` class.

    ###### Returns

    true if a repaint is desired or false if no repaint is necessary

    Specified by:
      `animate` in interface `Animation`
    Overrides:
      `animate` in class `Component`

  - ### pointerReleased

    public void pointerReleased(int x, int y)

    If this Component is focused, the pointer released event will call this method

    ###### Parameters

    - `x`: the pointer x coordinate

    - `y`: the pointer y coordinate

    Overrides:
      `pointerReleased` in class `TextArea`

  - ### isUseSoftkeys

    public boolean isUseSoftkeys()

    When set to true softkeys are used to enable delete functionality

    ###### Returns

    true if softkeys should be used

  - ### setUseSoftkeys

    public void setUseSoftkeys(boolean useSoftkeys)

    When set to true softkeys are used to enable delete functionality

    ###### Parameters

    - `useSoftkeys`: true if softkeys should be used

  - ### isReplaceMenu

    public boolean isReplaceMenu()

    Indicates whether the menu of the form should be replaced with the T9/Clear commands for the duration of interactivity with the text field

    ###### Returns

    true if the menu should be replaced

  - ### setReplaceMenu

    public void setReplaceMenu(boolean replaceMenu)

    Indicates whether the menu of the form should be replaced with the T9/Clear commands for the duration of interactivity with the text field

    ###### Parameters

    - `replaceMenu`: true if the menu should be replaced

  - ### isOverwriteMode

    public boolean isOverwriteMode()

    Indicates that this is the overwrite mode

    ###### Returns

    true if input with overwrite characters

  - ### setOverwriteMode

    public void setOverwriteMode(boolean overwriteMode)

    Indicates that this is the overwrite mode

    ###### Parameters

    - `overwriteMode`: set to true if input with overwrite characters

  - ### isLeftAndRightEditingTrigger

    public boolean isLeftAndRightEditingTrigger()

    Indicates whether the left/right keys will trigger editing, this is true by default. Left and right key edit trigger might be disabled for cases such as text field positioned horizontally one next to the other.

    ###### Returns

    leftAndRightEditingTrigger Indicates whether the left/right keys will trigger editing

  - ### setLeftAndRightEditingTrigger

    public void setLeftAndRightEditingTrigger(boolean leftAndRightEditingTrigger)

    Indicates whether the left/right keys will trigger editing, this is true by default. Left and right key edit trigger might be disabled for cases such as text field positioned horizontally one next to the other.

    ###### Parameters

    - `leftAndRightEditingTrigger`: Indicates whether the left/right keys will trigger editing

  - ### calculateTextSelectionSpan

    protected TextSelection.Spans calculateTextSelectionSpan(TextSelection sel)

    Calculates the spans for the the given text selection. This should generally just delegate to the appropriate method in the look and feel for performing the layout calculation.

    ###### Parameters

    - `sel`: The TextSelection
    Overrides:
      `calculateTextSelectionSpan` in class `TextArea`