Save <textarea> results into *.txt file

**tech_support** · 06-20-2006, 06:45 AM

Hi!

Can you save the results of a <textarea> to a *.txt file? Or maybe a *.htm or *.html file by pushing a button?

I saw it once in the "Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor" so I think It's possible

But is it?

I would really appreciate it if I can get the script for it

**Vallim** · 06-20-2006, 01:35 PM

Hi,

You could use the below code to write the contents of the <textarea> to a textfile. Here the ActiveXObject to write to the file.As per the coding NewFile.txt will be created under the C drive, and all <textarea> content will be placed in it.

<html>
<head>
<script language="javascript">
function WriteToFile()
{
var fso = new ActiveXObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject");
var s = fso.CreateTextFile("C:\\NewFile.txt", true);
var text=document.getElementById("TextArea1").innerText;
s.WriteLine(text);
s.WriteLine('***********************');
s.Close();
}
</script>

</head>
<body>
<form>
<div>
<textarea id="TextArea1"
height: style="width: 588px; height: 90px" 90px">We are a leading provider of software components and tools for the Microsoft .NET platform. Powerful and feature-rich, Syncfusion’s broad range of products are vital to mission-critical applications in organizations ranging from small businesses to multinational Fortune 100 companies. -www.syncfusion.com
</textarea><br />
<input id="Button1" type="button" value="Write" onclick="WriteToFile()"/>
</div>
</form>
</body>
</html>

Let me know if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Valli

[www.syncfusion.com
http://www.syncfusion.com/faq/aspnet/default.aspx]

**Twey** · 06-20-2006, 02:13 PM

If you're stupid enough to use ActiveX in your websites, thereby royally cheesing off at least 30% of your visitors and causing a massive popup box to appear warning the rest that your site is trying to do something unsafe, go right ahead!

If, however, you're a sane and intelligent being, you have two options here: cookies or server-side storage. The latter is preferable, since it won't expire or be deleted, but you may not have server-side scripting support on your server.

NewFile.txt will be created under the C drive

I don't have a "C drive." In fact, even Windows users might not have a "C drive."

**shachi** · 06-20-2006, 03:42 PM

Hey try this: http://calle.ioslo.net/testing/textarea-save/

Uses cookies to store contents. And is better than using any Server side complicated code.

**Twey** · 06-20-2006, 04:31 PM

And is better than using any Server side complicated code.

Server-side is always a better idea, since it ensures data integrity.

**shachi** · 06-20-2006, 04:50 PM

Twey for me (who is very bad at server side languages) it's really complicated.(you've seen it isn't it?? In the PM?? I couldn't even solve that simple problem.

). But anyways I am learning PHP and that's better than not knowing any server side language.

**Twey** · 06-20-2006, 05:04 PM

Twey for me (who is very bad at server side languages) it's really complicated.

That's fine, but it's not a good idea to recommend that other people avoid them just because you don't understand them.

**shachi** · 06-20-2006, 05:30 PM

By the way Twey did you realize that this reply textarea can actually perform events when Ctrl+B is pressed?? It actually does override the default firefox bookmark event. Any ideas how it is done?? I'd be appreciated if you could find it out. And by the way I never said that avoid it what I meant was that this code is simpler than that of server side languages and is easily usable. I am sorry If I said anything wrong.

**djr33** · 06-20-2006, 05:35 PM

I agree with Twey here.

I'm not sure if you want the file stored on the server or on the user's harddrive, but either way, you should use server side. It really isn't that complex. This is a simple code.

You have two options:
1. Code it to save to a text file on the server. Done.
2. Code it to output the text file to the user, so they can save it as they want. This won't force anything onto their system (usually a bad idea), and will be fairly easy still.