disable input elements without using "disabled"

pollockc · January 20th, 2006, 12:37 PM

I'm creating a form that the user will print off. When I use the input "disabled" property the boxes become greyed and are very difficult to see when printed out.
However, I don't want the user to be able to change the input (and select) form elements on the print page.
I'm assuming there has to be a javascript way of disabling the input and select elements without actually using the "disabled" property.
Your help would be greatly appreciated!

:: Chris Pollock ::

ChrisScott · January 20th, 2006, 12:40 PM

Hi Chris,

You can use the readonly property to do this.

HTH,

Chris

pollockc · January 20th, 2006, 12:48 PM

I should have been more specific. Really I need to disable radio buttons, checkboxes, and select elements. "readonly" works only with "text".

:: Chris Pollock ::

Greg Griffiths · January 23rd, 2006, 06:33 PM

You could create a Javascript function like the following :

var isRO=true;
function isFieldRO(this)
{
    if (isRO)
    {
        this.blur();
    }
}
<input type=checkbox onfocus="isFieldRO(this)">

pollockc · January 24th, 2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Griffiths
You could create a Javascript function like the following :

var isRO=true;
function isFieldRO(this)
{
    if (isRO)
    {
        this.blur();
    }
}
<input type=checkbox onfocus="isFieldRO(this)">

Hmmm.. this didn't work either. The Javascript is not "bombing", but it doesn't seem to be disallowing the input. I'm mystified! I think I"m going to try and build a page with nothing else on it and see if it works, but right now all of the suggested options don't seem to do the job.

I do thank you for taking the time to write thought.
Any other ideas out there

:: Chris Pollock ::

pollockc · January 24th, 2006, 10:51 AM

OK!!!
I figured it out. I needed to include another operation, besides the blur in order for it to work. Here's what I did:

Code:

<script language="javascript">
var isRO=true;
function isFieldRO(myelement) {
if(isRO){
myelement.blur();
alert('Sorry, you cannot change this element.');
}
}
</script>

I bolded the change that I made. I'm not sure why this is, but it works. Thank you everyone for your help!!

:: Chris Pollock ::