How can I detect if the value of a textarea changes using jQuery? I'm currently using keyup() but this triggers every key stroke of course, I dont want my code to run if it's an arrow key that was pressed or any other key that doesn't have an impact on the value of the textarea.

Take a look:

$('textarea').keyup(function() {
     if (content was changed)
         // Do something
});

I hope you understand. How can I do this the best way? I don't want to pare the current value to an old value to check for changes, I hope that's not the only way.

How can I detect if the value of a textarea changes using jQuery? I'm currently using keyup() but this triggers every key stroke of course, I dont want my code to run if it's an arrow key that was pressed or any other key that doesn't have an impact on the value of the textarea.

Take a look:

$('textarea').keyup(function() {
     if (content was changed)
         // Do something
});

I hope you understand. How can I do this the best way? I don't want to pare the current value to an old value to check for changes, I hope that's not the only way.

• javascript
• jquery

Share Improve this question Follow asked Feb 12, 2013 at 11:18 lawlslawls 1,51833 gold badges2121 silver badges3535 bronze badges

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2 Answers 2

Sorted by: Reset to default 6

By all means the easiest way is to store old values to data and do the check every keyup. The solution is quite short and will work in any case. No need to reinvent the wheel.

$("textarea").data("oldValue", function() {
    return this.value;
}).keyup(function() {
    var $this = $(this);
    if (this.value !== $this.data("oldValue")) {
        // Do something

        $this.data("oldValue", this.value);
    }
});

DEMO: http://jsfiddle/vvbSj/

$('textarea').blur(function() {
  //This will be invoked when the focus is removed
});

$('textarea').change(function() {
  //Same as the blur
});

Is this what you want