TextArea difficulties

[peterent]

Flex doesn't have an out-of-the-box component that does this. The Text field
(not an input field) can grow as text is added to it. The only multi-line input
field is TextArea.

If you are really comfortable with ActionScript, you may be able to do what
you want. For example, each character you type could trigger an event which
would re-measure the text and adjust the height of the TextArea accordingly. I
really don't know how well or smoothly that would work, but that's the approach
I would take.

However, having a field that changes size as you type raises concerns about
fields below or around it shifting to accomodate this growing field. Are you
sure that's the best approach from a usability standpoint? I don't know what
your ultimate goal is and having text change size might work fine, but I
thought I would bring up the [rhetorical] question.

[mjtanzer]

Hi Peter, thanks for your reply. As you suggested, I was thinking that a combo
of the textField and the textArea components could do th trick, but would
reauire a lot of code to accomplish. What I am trying to build is a text tool
Object that can be dragged around a Canvas that includes all of the typical
behaviors you would expect in a text tool. What I am trying to emulate is the
text tool that can be seen at [url]http://www.easterpig.com/demo/flashcard1/[/url]. Do you
think a custom Flash component would be a better approach? Thanks in advance.

Mark

[peterent]

I would say that in your case, yes, making the control in Flash would be
better. I'm sure some folks would disagree, but what you want isn't available
directly in Flex. That's what's really wonderful about Flex - you aren't
limited; you can make something special directly in Flash and still use it.

When you make the control in Flash, do not use any of the Halo components
(Text, TextArea, Button, etc) nor the containers. They didn't work for you
Flash and are incompatible with those in Flex, so why bother?

[mjtanzer]

Hi Peter, thanks for your help. I'll look into the Flash component angle.

Mark

[ntsiii]

Be sure to google this before you start on it yourself: I have seen several
before, but do not have the links.

Also I would not be surprised to see such a component in version 2 as it is
regularly requested.

Tracy

[mjtanzer]

Thanks Tracy, I'll do that.

Mark