Easy AJAX inline text edit 2.0

a straight forward tutorial to describe how to us inline text edit using ajax without adding a submit button or edit button in your web apps.

how you can make it work (5 easy steps for integration)

• Download this Javascript file: InstantEdit 2.0 JS
• Create a update file that handles the input. For example this PHP: Update File
• In your page add the javascript:
• Set fixed vars (like hidden elements in a field post). These will be posted with the editable field so you can identify a user/session.
  
• Last step: in your HTML for any editable field add a SPAN arround it:
  John Doe
  Note: id is the fieldname (?userName=John Doe&), and should be unique!

how it works

A small piece of javascript reads al SPAN tags, checks if it has class=“editText” and a id=. If that is true, it adds a onclick function. That onclick function will create a textfield or input (depending on the size of the editable text). Someone has the ability to edit the field. When the text field is blurred, it will read the contents, and starts a XMLHttpRequest and ‘sends’ the content + fieldname + any set vars to an update file. That file will update your database, and reply with the newly set text and the textfield will dissapear again.

IE? FF?

This script works in internet explorer, netscape and firefox. Any other platforms haven’t been tested. That’s kinda up to you.