How to make text area within JavaFX to be accepting only text input, no numbers?

Question

I would like to know whether it is possible to make text area in JavaFX to accept only text format, no numbers - in the worst case at least to say to user when typing numbers inside this text area that it's forbidden.

You should work on the question yourself and add some code. Please verify here: https://stackoverflow.com/help/how-to-ask — rainer, Apr 01 '18 at 14:23
[This](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/49571994/hello-i-want-to-create-a-javafx-textfield-where-the-user-can-only-input-in-the/49575480#49575480) is for `TextField`. I am guessing `TextArea` is a similar approach. — SedJ601, Apr 01 '18 at 14:25

score -1 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 01 '18 at 17:06

Solution: is quite simple, just check the text inside text area with this method :

 if (!Pattern.matches("[a-zA-Z]+", userInputText.getText())){
            System.out.println("wrong input");
        }

I have personally added this onHandleKeyReleased action event:

@FXML
public void handleKeyReleased() {
    String text = userInputText.getText();
    boolean disableButtons = text.isEmpty() || text.trim().isEmpty() || (!Pattern.matches("[a-zA-Z]+", userInputText.getText())) ;
    okButton.setDisable(disableButtons);
}

So after user writes any number inside the text field, the button for confirming his action will be disabled, so it will look like this:

correct input

incorrect input

This should work with input UI element within JavaFx.

no ... problems: a) doesn't catch incorrect input in c&p b) that pattern isn't working in other Locales (rejects more chars than allowed) To fix the former use a TextFormatter, to fix the latter use a Format — kleopatra, Apr 02 '18 at 09:37

score -2 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 01 '18 at 14:36

for number : What is the recommended way to make a numeric TextField in JavaFX?

try invert it (near match !)

textField.textProperty().addListener(new ChangeListener<String>() {
    @Override
    public void changed(ObservableValue<? extends String> observable, String oldValue, 
        String newValue) {
        if (!newValue.matches("\\d*")) {
            textField.setText(newValue.replaceAll("[^\\d]", ""));
        }
    }
});

How to make text area within JavaFX to be accepting only text input, no numbers?

2 Answers2