jQuery Getters & Setters

In this tutorial, you'll gain insight into acquiring or modifying an element's content, attribute value, and form control value using jQuery.

Certain jQuery methods have the dual functionality of both retrieving and setting values on a selection. Among these methods are text(), html(), attr(), and val().

When these methods are invoked without an argument, they are known as getters because they retrieve (or read) the current value of the element. Conversely, when these methods are called with a value as an argument, they are termed setters because they establish (or assign) that value.

jQuery text() Method

The jQuery text() method can be employed to retrieve the collective text contents of the selected elements, encompassing their descendants, or to define the text contents of the selected elements.

• When used as a getter, it retrieves the text content from the first element in the selection.
• When used as a setter, it sets the text content for all elements in the selection.
• It automatically escapes HTML entities and special characters, preventing them from being treated as HTML code.
• You can also use a function as the setter argument to modify text content based on the existing content.

Get Contents with text() Method

The jQuery text() method, When used without any arguments, it retrieves the text content of the first matched element in the selection. The following example demonstrates how to retrieve the text content of paragraphs using the jQuery text() method:

<script>
$(document).ready(function () {
    $(".btn-one").click(function () {
        var string = $("p").text();
        alert(string);
    });
    $(".btn-two").click(function () {
        var string = $("p:first").text();
        alert(string);
    });
    $(".btn-three").click(function () {
        var string = $("p.extra").text();
        alert(string);
    });
});
</script>

• Try this code

Note: While the jQuery text() function retrieves the values from all the selected elements (i.e., the combined text), other getters like html(), attr(), and val() only return the value from the first element in the selection.

Set Contents with text() Method

The jQuery text() method, When used with an argument, it sets the text content for all matched elements in the selection. The following example illustrates how to set the text content of a paragraph using the jQuery text() method:

<script>
$(document).ready(function () {
    $(".btn-one").click(function () {
        $("p").text("Happy Morning.");
    });
    $(".btn-two").click(function () {
        $("p:first").text("Have a Nice Day.");
    });
    $(".btn-three").click(function () {
        $("p.more").text("Enjoy Your Day.");
    });
});
</script>

• Try this code

Note: When you use the jQuery text(), html(), attr() and val() methods with a value as an argument, it assigns that value to every matched element in the selection.

The jQuery html() method is used to retrieve or set the HTML content of HTML elements.

• When used as a getter, it retrieves the HTML content of the first element in the selection.
• When used as a setter, it sets the HTML content for all elements in the selection.
• If you pass a function as an argument, it can be used to modify the HTML content based on the existing content.

Get HTML Contents with html() Method

When used without any arguments, it retrieves the HTML content (including any child elements) of the first matched element in the selection. The following example demonstrates how to retrieve the HTML contents of both paragraph elements and a <div> element container:

<script>
$(document).ready(function () {
    $(".btn-one").click(function () {
        var str = $("p").html();
        alert(str);
    });
    $(".btn-two").click(function () {
        var str = $("#container").html();
        alert(str);
    });
});
</script>

• Try this code

Note: When selecting multiple elements, the html() method exclusively returns the HTML contents of the first element from the set of matched elements.

Set HTML Contents with html() Method

The jQuery html() method, When used with an argument, sets the HTML content of all matched elements to the specified HTML string. For updating the HTML content within the <body> element, the subsequent example showcases the process:

<script>
$(document).ready(function () {
    $("button").click(function () {
        $("body").html("<h1>Happy Morning..</h1>");
    });
});
</script>

• Try this code

The jQuery attr() method is used to get or set attributes of HTML elements. It allows you to access and manipulate attributes such as src, href, class, id, and custom attributes. You can also set or get multiple attributes by passing an object with key-value pairs as the argument.

Get Attribute Value with attr() Method

The jQuery attr() method, When used with a single argument (the name of the attribute), it retrieves the value of the specified attribute from the first matched element in the selection.

The following example demonstrates how to retrieve the value of href attribute of a hyperlink (i.e., the <a> element) and the alt attribute of an <img> element:

<script>
$(document).ready(function () {
    $(".btn-one").click(function () {
        var string = $("a").attr("href");
        alert(string);
    });
    $(".btn-two").click(function () {
        var string = $("img#tree").attr("alt");
        alert(string);
    });
});
</script>

• Try this code

Note: When selecting multiple elements, the attr() method exclusively returns the attribute value of the first element from the set of matched elements.

Set Attributes with attr() Method

The jQuery attr() method, When used with two arguments (the name of the attribute and a new value), it sets the specified attribute to the provided value for all matched elements. The following example demonstrates how to set the checked attribute of a checkbox:

<script>
$(document).ready(function () {
    $("button").click(function () {
        $('input[type="checkbox"]').attr("checked", "checked");
    });
});
</script>

• Try this code

Set or Get Multiple Attributes using attr() Method

The attr() method also provides the capability to set multiple attributes simultaneously. Here's an example demonstrating how to set both the class and title attributes for <img> elements:

<script>
$(document).ready(function () {
    $("button").click(function () {
        $("img").attr({
            "class": "frame",
            "title": "Fall"
        });
    });
});
</script>

• Try this code

The jQuery val() method is primarily used to get or set the values of form elements, such as input fields, select boxes, and textareas. It can be used in the following ways:

• When used as a getter, it retrieves the value from the first element in the selection.
• When used as a setter, it sets the value for all elements in the selection.
• For checkboxes and radio buttons, you can pass an array of values to set multiple options.
• It is commonly used for tasks related to form handling, such as getting and setting input values, selecting options in dropdowns, and managing checkbox and radio button states.

Get the Values of Form Fields with val() Method

The jQuery val() method, When used without any arguments, it retrieves the current value of the first matched element in the selection. The following example demonstrates how to retrieve the values of form controls using the jQuery val() method:

<script>
$(document).ready(function () {
    $("button.get-name").click(function () {
        var name = $("#name").val();
        alert(name);
    });
    $("button.get-comment").click(function () {
        var comment = $("#comment").val();
        alert(comment);
    });
    $("button.get-city").click(function () {
        var city = $("#city").val();
        alert(city);
    });
});
</script>

• Try this code

Note: In cases where multiple form elements are chosen, the val() method exclusively delivers the value of the initial element from the set of matched elements.

Set the Values of Form Fields with val() Method

The jQuery val() method, When used with an argument, it sets the value of all matched form elements to the specified value. The following example demonstrates how to set the values of form controls using the jQuery val() method:

<script>
$(document).ready(function () {
    $("button").click(function () {
        var text = $(this).text();
        $('input[type="text"]').val(text);
    });
});
</script>

• Try this code

What are jQuery getters and setters?

jQuery getters and setters are methods that allow you to retrieve or manipulate the values of HTML elements using jQuery. Getters are used to retrieve the current values of specific properties or attributes of an element, while setters are used to change or update those values.

What is the purpose of the jQuery text() method?

The jQuery text() method is used to retrieve or set the combined text content of the selected element(s). It retrieves the text content of the element(s) without including any HTML tags.

How does the text() method work as a getter in jQuery?

As a getter, the text() method retrieves the combined text content of the selected element(s). It extracts the text from within the element, excluding any HTML tags or nested elements. For example, if you have a <p> element with the text "Hello, <span>world</span>!", $('p').text() would return "Hello, world!".

Can the text() method be applied to multiple elements simultaneously?

Yes, the text() method can be applied to multiple elements simultaneously. When called on a collection of elements (selected by a common selector), it will return the combined text content of all those elements.

How can you use the text() method to set new text content in jQuery?

To set new text content using the text() method, you can pass a string as an argument. The method will replace the existing text content of the selected element(s) with the provided string. For instance, $('p').text('New text content') would change the content of all <p> elements to "New text content".

What happens if you pass an HTML string to the text() method for setting content?

If you pass an HTML string to the text() method, it will treat the HTML tags as plain text and not interpret them as markup. The tags will be displayed as they are in the content. For example, $('p').text('<b>Bold text</b>') would display "<b>Bold text</b>" as plain text within the <p> elements.

How does the text() method handle line breaks and whitespace in the text content?

The text() method preserves line breaks and whitespace in the text content. It will maintain the original formatting of the text, including any line breaks or spaces present in the source code.

When would you use the text() method instead of the html() method?

You would use the text() method when you want to work exclusively with the textual content of an element, without any HTML markup. For example, when you need to retrieve the text from within a paragraph or heading element, or when you want to set plain text content for elements like <span> or <div>.

Can the text() method be used with form input elements like <input> and <textarea>?

Yes, the text() method can be used with form input elements, but its behavior might not be as expected. Form input elements usually have a value attribute that holds their content, and using .text() on them might not retrieve or set values as you intend. It's recommended to use the .val() method for form input elements instead.

How can you remove all text content from an element using the text() method?

To remove all text content from an element using the text() method, you can pass an empty string ('') as an argument. For example, $('#element').text('') would effectively remove all text content from the element with the specified ID.

What is the purpose of the jQuery html() method?

The jQuery html() method is used to retrieve or set the HTML content, including tags and markup, of the selected element(s).

How does the html() method work as a getter in jQuery?

As a getter, the html() method retrieves the complete HTML content, including any HTML tags and nested elements, of the selected element(s). For example, if you have a <div> element with child elements and text, $('div').html() would return the full HTML content of the <div> and its children.

Can the html() method be applied to multiple elements at once?

Yes, the html() method can be applied to multiple elements simultaneously. When called on a collection of elements (selected by a common selector), it will return the HTML content of all those elements.

How can you use the html() method to set new HTML content in jQuery?

To set new HTML content using the html() method, you can pass an HTML string as an argument. The method will replace the existing HTML content of the selected element(s) with the provided string. For example, $('div').html('<p>New HTML content</p>') would replace the content of all <div> elements with the specified <p> element.

What happens if you pass a plain text string to the html() method for setting content?

If you pass a plain text string to the html() method for setting content, it will treat the string as plain text and insert it as-is within the element(s). The string will not be interpreted as HTML markup. For example, $('p').html('Bold text') would insert the text "Bold text" as plain text within all <p> elements.

How does the html() method handle line breaks and whitespace in the HTML content?

The html() method preserves line breaks and whitespace in the HTML content. It maintains the original formatting of the HTML, including any line breaks or spaces present in the source code.

What is the difference between the html() method and the text() method in jQuery?

The primary difference between the html() method and the text() method in jQuery is that html() deals with the complete HTML content, including tags and markup, while text() only retrieves or sets the plain text content within the selected element(s), stripping away any HTML tags.

When would you use the html() method instead of the text() method?

You would use the html() method when you need to work with the full HTML content of an element, including any nested elements and HTML tags. This is useful when you want to modify the structure and appearance of an element by adding, replacing, or removing HTML elements.

Can the html() method be used with form input elements like <input> and <textarea>?

Yes, the html() method can be used with form input elements, but it's not recommended. Form input elements typically store values in their value attribute, and using .html() on them might not yield the expected behavior. For form input elements, you should use the .val() method to retrieve and set values.

How can you remove all HTML content from an element using the html() method?

To remove all HTML content from an element using the html() method, you can pass an empty string ('') as an argument. For example, $('#element').html('') would effectively remove all HTML content from the element with the specified ID.

What is the purpose of the jQuery attr() method?

The jQuery attr() method is used to both retrieve and set attributes of HTML elements. It allows you to interact with attributes like src, href, class, and many others.

How does the attr() method work as a getter in jQuery?

As a getter, the attr() method retrieves the value of a specified attribute for the selected element(s). For example, if you have an <img> element with a src attribute, $('img').attr('src') would return the value of the src attribute.

Can the attr() method retrieve multiple attributes simultaneously?

Yes, the attr() method can be used to retrieve multiple attributes simultaneously by passing an array of attribute names as arguments. For instance, $('a').attr(['href', 'title']) would return an object with the href and title attribute values of all <a> elements.

How can you use the attr() method to set a new value for an attribute in jQuery?

To set a new value for an attribute using the attr() method, you can provide both the attribute name and the new value as arguments. For example, $('img').attr('alt', 'New alt text') would update the alt attribute of all <img> elements with the new text.

What happens if you use the attr() method to set an attribute that doesn't exist?

If you use the attr() method to set an attribute that doesn't exist, it will create the attribute with the provided value. For instance, $('#element').attr('data-info', 'new value') would create a data-info attribute with the value 'new value' on the selected element.

Can the attr() method be used to remove attributes from elements?

Yes, the attr() method can be used to remove attributes from elements by passing null or an empty string ('') as the new value. For example, $('#element').attr('disabled', null) would remove the disabled attribute from the element.

Is there a shorthand version of the .attr() method for setting multiple attributes?

Yes, you can use the .attr() method with an object as an argument to set multiple attributes at once. For example:

$('#element').attr({
  'src': 'new-image.jpg',
  'alt': 'New image'
});

Can the attr() method be used to change the type of an input element, such as from text to password?

No, the attr() method cannot be used to change the type of an input element. The type attribute of an input element is a property that can't be modified using the attr() method. To change the type of an input element, you would need to replace the entire element in the DOM.

How can you use the attr() method to manipulate the class attribute of an element?

You can use the attr() method to manipulate the class attribute by providing 'class' as the attribute name. For instance, $('#element').attr('class', 'new-class') would replace the existing class(es) of the element with the single class "new-class". If you want to add or remove classes, consider using the addClass() and removeClass() methods.

Can the attr() method be used to modify the style attribute for inline CSS?

Yes, you can use the attr() method to modify the style attribute for inline CSS. For example, $('#element').attr('style', 'color: red; font-size: 16px;') would apply the specified inline CSS styles to the element.

How does the attr() method handle attribute values containing special characters or quotes?

The attr() method handles attribute values containing special characters or quotes by escaping them appropriately. You can use single or double quotes around the attribute value, and the method will ensure the attribute value is properly encoded and parsed.

Is it recommended to use the attr() method to manipulate HTML attributes exclusively?

While the attr() method can manipulate HTML attributes, it's recommended to use it primarily for attributes that are not tied to an element's properties (such as boolean attributes) or for manipulating custom attributes. For elements like checkboxes and radio buttons, use the .prop() method, and for modifying classes or styles, consider using appropriate methods like addClass() and css().

What is the purpose of the jQuery val() method?

The jQuery val() method is primarily used to retrieve or set the value of form elements such as input fields, textareas, and select elements.

How does the val() method work as a getter in jQuery?

As a getter, the val() method retrieves the current value of the selected form element. For example, if you have an <input> element with user-entered text, $('input').val() would return the text that the user has typed.

Can the val() method retrieve the values of multiple elements at once?

Yes, the val() method can retrieve the values of multiple form elements at once by calling it on a collection of elements. It will return an array of values corresponding to the elements.

How can you use the val() method to set a new value for a form element in jQuery?

To set a new value for a form element using the val() method, you can pass the desired value as an argument. For example, $('input').val('New value') would update the value of the input field with "New value".

Can the val() method be used to set the selected value of a <select> element?

Yes, the val() method can be used to set the selected value of a <select> element by providing the desired value as an argument. For instance, $('select').val('optionValue') would select the option with the corresponding value.

How does the val() method handle checkboxes and radio buttons?

For checkboxes and radio buttons, the val() method returns the value attribute of the checked radio button or the checked checkboxes. If no checkboxes are checked, it returns undefined.

How does the val() method handle multiline text in textarea elements?

The val() method handles multiline text in textarea elements by maintaining line breaks and whitespace. It retains the formatting of the text, including any line breaks or spaces present in the content.

Can the val() method be used with form elements that don't have user-editable values, such as <button> or <span>?

The val() method is primarily intended for form elements like input fields, textareas, and select elements that have user-editable values. It's not recommended to use val() on non-editable elements like <button> or <span>, as it may not behave as expected.

Can the val() method be used to retrieve and set values in HTML5 <input> types like date, color, and email?

Yes, the val() method can be used to retrieve and set values in HTML5 <input> types like date, color, and email. It works similarly to other input types, allowing you to interact with their values.

When working with jQuery, you can manipulate and retrieve text, HTML content, and attribute data using various methods and properties. You can retrieve element text, extract innerHTML, get inner text, or access element content to read the content of elements. Additionally, you can read element data or fetch inner content to obtain the information you need.

For updating and setting text or HTML contents, you can update element text, modify innerHTML, set inner text, or change element content to alter the displayed information. You can also write element data, alter text within an element, or assign innerHTML to customize the content as needed. In some cases, you may want to adjust inner text or replace inner content for a fresh look.

When dealing with attributes, you can get attribute data, retrieve attribute value, or access attribute property to obtain attribute information. For updating attributes, you can set attribute data, modify attribute value, or update attribute property to change the attribute's value or properties. You can also change attribute content, write attribute values, or assign attribute data to customize how elements are presented. Sometimes, it's necessary to alter attribute value, replace attribute content, or edit attribute properties for specific requirements.

In the context of jQuery, you can also work with text or HTML contents by using methods like text(), html(), and val(). For handling attribute data, the attr() method is useful. Moreover, you can manipulate string content, character data, and node value. When dealing with the content of an element, you can access its innerHTML or the node HTML, which represents the markup content within the element.

For working with form fields and user input, you can interact with the value property, retrieve input values, and manage user input and form field values. You can also work with input data, perform text inputs, and access the value attribute for user-defined values and data entry.

In addition, when you need to manage element attributes, you can deal with the element attribute, DOM attribute, and property value or property data as required.

All of these concepts and techniques are essential when working with jQuery for content and attribute manipulation on web pages.