Text Area Component

 

Overview

The Text Area Component is part of the core range of input components that lets the end-user End-users, also known as Express Users, are the individuals accessing an application through Express View. In most cases, end-users are the customers using the product. enter multiple lines of text. For example, an end-user can enter a paragraph of information that goes into as much detail as necessary. You can also use a Text Area component to display values passed to it from another component.

You'll find the Text Area component in the Primary Components group to the left of the Module Builder.

About the Configuration Window

To learn more about general component settings and those that display when a component is associated with Data Models, view our General Component Settings article.

Display Panel

Field Text

A static image displaying the Text Area component's Display settings.

Setting

Description

Label Text

Label Text conveys what the input component is and what information it displays. Enter the purpose of the corresponding component or field.

User-friendly labels make your module more accessible. Keep labels short and descriptive (a word or two) using title case. For longer entries, use sentence case.

Placeholder Text

A short prompt telling end-users the expected value of an input field. For example: Enter your Social Security Number. Placeholder Text displays inside the input field until the end-user begins an entry.

Contextual Help

Setting

Description

Tooltip

A short hint that displays when an end-user positions their cursor over the Questionmark Icon (Tooltip) icon. Tooltips can display across more than one line.

Helper Text

A quick tip describing the expected value of an input field. Unlike a Tooltip, Helper Text stays visible under the input field and displays on a single line.

Default State Options

Setting

Description

Hide Label

Setting the Hide Label toggle to (ON) stops Label Text from displaying in Express View Express View is how your end-user views you application. Express View also lets you preview your applications to test your configuration and view the styling. This is also the view your end-users will see when interacting with your application. After configuring a module, click Preview in the Module Builder to interact with the module in Express View.. Your Label Text still displays in the Module Builder.

By default, the Hide Label toggle is set to (OFF).

Disable User Input

When set to (ON), end-users cannot interact with or edit the Express View's input field or element. When end-users hover over the field, their cursor changes to alert them to the status change.

By default, the Disable User Input toggle is set to (OFF).

Read Only View

When set to (ON), the component is display-only. If another component pushes content to the field, the end-user sees that content. Otherwise, end-users see the word None.

By default, the Read Only View toggle is set to (OFF).

Hide Field

Shows or hides the component from view. Setting the Hide Field toggle to (ON) hides the component in Express View. Setting the toggle to (OFF) shows the component. The component is always visible in the Module Builder.

By default, the Hide Field toggle is set to (OFF).

Hide Helper Text

Stops Helper Text from displaying in Express View.

By default, the Hide Helper Text toggle is set to (OFF).

Disable Browser Autocomplete

Setting the toggle to (ON) stops the browser from autofilling the field. When a user clicks the field, they must enter the value instead of having it autofill by the browser. Use this setting in all fields containing sensitive data.

Some browsers might not support this setting.

By default, the Disable Browser Autofill toggle is set to (OFF).

Formatting

Setting

Description

Set Input Height

Sets the number of lines shown in Express View Express View is how your end-user views you application. Express View also lets you preview your applications to test your configuration and view the styling. This is also the view your end-users will see when interacting with your application. After configuring a module, click Preview in the Module Builder to interact with the module in Express View..

Use Input Mask

Setting the Use Input Mask toggle to (ON) makes the Input Mask and Format Data With Mask options available. Setting the toggle to (OFF) hides these options from view.

By default, the Use Input Mask toggle is set to (OFF).

Input Mask

An Input Mask is a string of characters that indicates the format of a valid input. Use an Input Mask when the format of the input value must be consistent. Use "9" to require a number, "a" to require a letter, and "*" to require an alphanumeric character.

Format Data With Mask

Stores your data with the input mask formatting applied. Setting the Format Data With Mask toggle to (ON) activates the feature. Setting the toggle to (OFF) stores your data without the input mask formatting applied.

By default, the Format Data With Mask toggle is set to (OFF).

Data Panel

Data Storage

A static image displaying the Text Area component's Data settings.

Setting

Description

Store Data in Database

The Store Data in Database setting affects how data persists through your application. When set to  (ON), Unqork stores values entered into the field to the database (server-side submission). This occurs in three scenarios:

  • Navigating between Panels in a Navigation component. On navigation between pages (Panels), the component’s value saves to the database.

  • Triggering a module save event using a Button component with an Action Type of Save.

  • Navigating between screens of a workflow. On navigation between screens, the component’s value saves to the database.

By default, workflows persist data from all fields in the client-side submission when navigating between screens. However, only values from fields with Store Data in Database enabled store in the server-side submission.

Set the toggle to when you don’t want to store the values from this field in the database.

When using a Plug-In to remote execute a module, ensure data moving between modules is persistent. You can optionally enable Store Data in Database for components in the source module. But any components in the API module whose values are included in an API response must have Store Data in Database enabled. When a component’s data is not persistent, the data isn't included in an API call's response. So, Plug-Ins or external services requesting data from the API module can't receive non-persistent data in the response. To learn more about Store Data in Database in the context of API modules, see the panelResponse Panel section of the API Specification Snippet article in our In-Product Help.

Store Data in Database also affects what data is tracked using Unqork’s built-in tracker. When the Enable Tracker and Track Value toggles are set to  (ON) in Module Settings, only values from fields with Store Data in Database enabled are tracked.

Actions Panel

Triggers

A static image displaying the Text Area's Actions settings.

Setting

Description

Trigger

To set up a trigger, enter the Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. of your chosen logic component into this field. When the end-user performs an action on the current component, the triggered component fires.

Trigger on Keypress

A variation of the trigger setting. With this setting, the triggered component fires on every keystroke made inside the current component.

Validation Panel

User Input

A static image displaying the Text Area Validations settings.

Setting

Description

Required

When set to (ON), the end user must enter a value in the component's visible fields. Set the toggle to (OFF) when an entry is optional.

By default, the Required toggle is set to (OFF).

Required Error Message

A custom error message that displays below a required field. The error message displays when the end-user tries to save or submit the module without completing the required field.

Advanced Panel

Additional Validation Options

A static image displaying the Text Area component's Advanced settings.

Setting

Description

Min Length

Sets the minimum number of characters an end-user must enter for valid input.

Min Length Error Message

A custom error message that displays below the input field. The error message displays when the entry doesn't meet the minimum character length value.

Max Length

Sets the maximum number of characters an end-user must enter for valid input.

Max Length Error Message

A custom error message that displays below the input field. The error message displays when the entry doesn't meet the maximum character length value.

Show Max Length Countdown

When set to (ON), a character countdown displays below the input field showing the number of characters left before reaching maximum length.

By default, the Show Maximum Length toggle is set to (OFF).

Allow Typing Beyond Maximum Length

When set to (ON), the end-user can continue typing past the field’s fixed maximum length. If the end-user's input exceeds the maximum length, an error message displays below the input field.

By default, the Allow Typing Beyond Maximum Length toggle is set to (OFF).

Regular Expression Pattern

The Regular Expression pattern that the field's value must match to be valid.

To learn about Regular Expression patterns, see our Regex in Unqork article.

Pattern Error Message

An error message that displays if the value does not meet the Regular Expression pattern.

Additional Styling

Setting

Description

Custom CSS Class

Enter a Custom CSS Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a style sheet language used for presenting how a HTML or XML document looks to end-users. Class to apply to your component. Custom CSS lets you maintain a consistent look and feel when the field or element is part of a template or multiple modules.

Updated CSS styling applies to all components that reference this custom class name.

Adding a Text Area Component

Configure a Text Area component to collect the details of a parent/child relationship.

These instructions assume that you have an open module saved with a title.

Configure the Text Area Component

Configuring a Text Area component is as simple as providing it a Property ID, descriptive Label, and allowing for multiple lines of text to be entered by your end-user.

1. In the Module Builder, drag and drop a Icon Text Area component onto your canvas.
2. In the Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. field, enter relationshipMother.
3. In the Label Text Label Text conveys what the input component is and what information it displays. Enter the purpose of the corresponding component or field. field, enter Tell us about your relationship with your mother.
4. In the Set Input Height Sets the number of lines shown in Express View. field enter 5. This value determines how many lines of text display in Express View.
5. Click Save Component.
6. Save your module.

Preview your module in Express View Express View is how your end-user views you application. Express View also lets you preview your applications to test your configuration and view the styling. This is also the view your end-users will see when interacting with your application. After configuring a module, click Preview in the Module Builder to interact with the module in Express View. to view the following functionality:

Structure of a Text Area Component's Data

The Text Area component's data stores in a key/value format. In the above example, the relationshipMother Icon Text Area component stores the value entered by the end-user.

A static image displaying the Text Area component's data structure.

Currently, Unqork doesn't support values entering or rendering text values greater than 1024 characters in a submission.

Resources

Overview

The Text Area Component is part of the core range of input components that lets the end-user End-users, also known as Express Users, are the individuals accessing an application through Express View. In most cases, end-users are the customers using the product. enter multiple lines of text. For example, an end-user can enter a paragraph of information that goes into as much detail as necessary. You can also use a Text Area component to display values passed to it from another component.

You'll find the Text Area component in the Primary Components group to the left of the Module Builder.

About the Configuration Window

To learn more about general component settings and those that display when a component is associated with Data Models, view our General Component Settings article.

Display Panel

A static image dispaying the Text Area component's Display settings.

Field Text

Setting

Description

Label Text

Label Text conveys what the input component is and what information it displays. Enter the purpose of the corresponding component or field.

User-friendly labels make your module more accessible. Keep labels short and descriptive (a word or two) using title case. For longer entries, use sentence case.

Placeholder Text

A short prompt telling end-users the expected value of an input field. For example: Enter your Social Security Number. Placeholder Text displays inside the input field until the end-user begins an entry.

Contextual Help

Setting

Description

Tooltip

A short hint that displays when an end-user positions their cursor over the Questionmark Icon (Tooltip) icon. Tooltips can display across more than one line.

Helper Text

A quick tip describing the expected value of an input field. Unlike a Tooltip, Helper Text stays visible under the input field and displays on a single line.

Default State Options

Setting

Description

Hide Helper Text

Stops Helper Text from displaying in Express View.

By default, the Hide Helper Text toggle is set to (OFF).

Hide Label

Setting the Hide Label toggle to (ON) stops Label Text from displaying in Express View Express View is how your end-user views you application. Express View also lets you preview your applications to test your configuration and view the styling. This is also the view your end-users will see when interacting with your application. After configuring a module, click Preview in the Module Builder to interact with the module in Express View.. Your Label Text still displays in the Module Builder.

By default, the Hide Label toggle is set to (OFF).

Disable User Input

When set to (ON), end-users cannot interact with or edit the Express View's input field or element. When end-users hover over the field, their cursor changes to alert them to the status change.

By default, the Disable User Input toggle is set to (OFF).

Read Only View

When set to (ON), the component is display-only. If another component pushes content to the field, the end-user sees that content. Otherwise, end-users see the word None.

By default, the Read Only View toggle is set to (OFF).

Hide Field

Shows or hides the component from view. Setting the Hide Field toggle to (ON) hides the component in Express View. Setting the toggle to (OFF) shows the component. The component is always visible in the Module Builder.

By default, the Hide Field toggle is set to (OFF).

Formatting

Setting

Description

Set Input Height

Sets the number of lines shown in Express View Express View is how your end-user views you application. Express View also lets you preview your applications to test your configuration and view the styling. This is also the view your end-users will see when interacting with your application. After configuring a module, click Preview in the Module Builder to interact with the module in Express View..

Use Input Mask

Setting the Use Input Mask toggle to (ON) makes the Input Mask and Format Data With Mask options available. Setting the toggle to (OFF) hides these options from view.

By default, the Use Input Mask toggle is set to (OFF).

Input Mask

An Input Mask is a string of characters that indicates the format of a valid input. Use an Input Mask when the format of the input value must be consistent. Use "9" to require a number, "a" to require a letter, and "*" to require an alphanumeric character.

Format Data With Mask

Stores your data with the input mask formatting applied. Setting the Format Data With Mask toggle to (ON) activates the feature. Setting the toggle to (OFF) stores your data without the input mask formatting applied.

By default, the Format Data With Mask toggle is set to (OFF).

Disable Browser Autofill

Setting the toggle to (ON) stops the browser from autofilling the field. When a user clicks the field, they must enter the value instead of having it autofill by the browser. Use this setting in all fields containing sensitive data.

Some browsers might not support this setting.

By default, the Disable Browser Autofill toggle is set to (OFF).

Data Panel

A static image dispaying the Text Area component's Data settings.

Data Storage

Setting

Description

Store Data in Database

The Store Data in Database setting affects how data persists through your application. When set to  (ON), Unqork stores values entered into the field to the database (server-side submission). This occurs in three scenarios:

  • Navigating between Panels in a Navigation component. On navigation between pages (Panels), the component’s value saves to the database.

  • Triggering a module save event using a Button component with an Action Type of Save.

  • Navigating between screens of a workflow. On navigation between screens, the component’s value saves to the database.

By default, workflows persist data from all fields in the client-side submission when navigating between screens. However, only values from fields with Store Data in Database enabled store in the server-side submission.

Set the toggle to when you don’t want to store the values from this field in the database.

When using a Plug-In to remote execute a module, ensure data moving between modules is persistent. You can optionally enable Store Data in Database for components in the source module. But any components in the API module whose values are included in an API response must have Store Data in Database enabled. When a component’s data is not persistent, the data isn't included in an API call's response. So, Plug-Ins or external services requesting data from the API module can't receive non-persistent data in the response. To learn more about Store Data in Database in the context of API modules, see the panelResponse Panel section of the API Specification Snippet article in our In-Product Help.

Store Data in Database also affects what data is tracked using Unqork’s built-in tracker. When the Enable Tracker and Track Value toggles are set to  (ON) in Module Settings, only values from fields with Store Data in Database enabled are tracked.

Actions Panel

A static image dispaying the Text Area component's Actions settings.

Triggers

Setting

Description

Trigger

To set up a trigger, enter the Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. of your chosen logic component into this field. When the end-user performs an action on the current component, the triggered component fires.

Trigger on Keypress

A variation of the trigger setting. With this setting, the triggered component fires on every keystroke made inside the current component.

Validation Panel

A static image dispaying the Text Area component's Validation settings.

Input Required

Setting

Description

Required

When set to (ON), the end user must enter a value in the component's visible fields. Set the toggle to (OFF) when an entry is optional.

By default, the Required toggle is set to (OFF).

Required Error Message

A custom error message that displays below a required field. The error message displays when the end-user tries to save or submit the module without completing the required field.

Advanced Panel

A static image dispaying the Text Area component's Advanced settings.

Additional Validation Options

Setting

Description

Regular Expression Pattern

The Regular Expression pattern that the field's value must match to be valid.

To learn about Regular Expression patterns, see our Regex in Unqork article.

Pattern Error Message

An error message that displays if the value does not meet the Regular Expression pattern.

Min/Max Length

Sets the minimum or the maximum number of characters an end-user must enter for valid input.

Min/Max Length Error Message

A custom error message that displays below the input field. The error message displays when the entry doesn't meet the minimum or maximum character length rule.

Show Max Length Countdown

When set to (ON), a character countdown displays below the input field showing the number of characters left before reaching maximum length.

By default, the Show Maximum Length toggle is set to (OFF).

Allow Typing Beyond Maximum Length

When set to (ON), the end-user can continue typing past the field’s fixed maximum length. If the end-user's input exceeds the maximum length, an error message displays below the input field.

By default, the Allow Typing Beyond Maximum Length toggle is set to (OFF).

Additional Styling

Setting

Description

Custom CSS Class

Enter a Custom CSS Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a style sheet language used for presenting how a HTML or XML document looks to end-users. Class to apply to your component. Custom CSS lets you maintain a consistent look and feel when the field or element is part of a template or multiple modules.

Updated CSS styling applies to all components that reference this custom class name.

Adding a Text Area Component

Using a Text Area component, you'll collect the details of a parent/child relationship.

These instructions assume that you have an open module saved with a title.

Configure the Text Area Component

Configuring a Text Area component is as simple as providing it a Property ID, descriptive Label, and allowing for multiple lines of text to be entered by your end-user.

1. In the Module Builder, drag and drop a Icon Text Area component onto your canvas.
2. In the Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. field, enter relationshipMother.
3. In the Label Text Label Text conveys what the input component is and what information it displays. Enter the purpose of the corresponding component or field. field, enter Tell me about your relationship with your mother.
4. In the Set Input Height Sets the number of lines shown in Express View. field, enter 5. This value determines how many lines of text display in Express View.

5. Click Save & Close.
6. Save your module.

Preview your module in Express View Express View is how your end-user views you application. Express View also lets you preview your applications to test your configuration and view the styling. This is also the view your end-users will see when interacting with your application. After configuring a module, click Preview in the Module Builder to interact with the module in Express View. to view the completed configuration:

Structure of a Text Area Component's Data

A Text Area component stores its data as a string when viewed in the DevTools Console The DevTools Console helps you securely store, build, test, and deploy your software..

Currently, Unqork does not support values entering or rendering text values greater than 1024 characters in a submission.

Resources