[jquery] jQuery Datepicker with text input that doesn't allow user input

How do I use the jQuery Datepicker with a textbox input:

$("#my_txtbox").datepicker({
  // options
});

that doesn't allow the user to input random text in the textbox. I want the Datepicker to pop up when the textbox gains focus or the user clicks on it, but I want the textbox to ignore any user input using the keyboard (copy & paste, or any other). I want to fill the textbox exclusively from the Datepicker calendar.

Is this possible?

jQuery 1.2.6
Datepicker 1.5.2

This question is related to jquery datepicker

The answer is


You should be able to use the readonly attribute on the text input, and jQuery will still be able to edit its contents.

<input type='text' id='foo' readonly='true'>

try

$("#my_txtbox").keypress(function(event) {event.preventDefault();});

Instead of using textbox you can use button also. Works best for me, where I don't want users to write date manually.

enter image description here


Here is your answer which is way to solve.You do not want to use jquery when you restricted the user input in textbox control.

<input type="text" id="my_txtbox" readonly />  <!--HTML5-->

<input type="text" id="my_txtbox" readonly="true"/>

I know this thread is old, but for others who encounter the same problem, that implement @Brad8118 solution (which i prefer, because if you choose to make the input readonly then the user will not be able to delete the date value inserted from datepicker if he chooses) and also need to prevent the user from pasting a value (as @ErikPhilips suggested to be needed), I let this addition here, which worked for me: $("#my_txtbox").bind('paste',function(e) { e.preventDefault(); //disable paste }); from here https://www.dotnettricks.com/learn/jquery/disable-cut-copy-and-paste-in-textbox-using-jquery-javascript and the whole specific script used by me (using fengyuanchen/datepicker plugin instead):

$('[data-toggle="datepicker"]').datepicker({
    autoHide: true,
    pick: function (e) {
        e.preventDefault();
        $(this).val($(this).datepicker('getDate', true));
    }
}).keypress(function(event) {
    event.preventDefault(); // prevent keyboard writing but allowing value deletion
}).bind('paste',function(e) {
    e.preventDefault()
}); //disable paste;

$('.date').each(function (e) {
    if ($(this).attr('disabled') != 'disabled') {
        $(this).attr('readOnly', 'true');
        $(this).css('cursor', 'pointer');
        $(this).css('color', '#5f5f5f');
    }
});

$("#my_txtbox").prop('readonly', true)

worked like a charm..


I know this question is already answered, and most suggested to use readonly attribure.
I just want to share my scenario and answer.

After adding readonly attribute to my HTML Element, I faced issue that I am not able to make this attribute as required dynamically.
Even tried setting as both readonly and required at HTML creation time.

So I will suggest do not use readonly if you want to set it as required also.

Instead use

$("#my_txtbox").datepicker({
    // options
});

$("#my_txtbox").keypress(function(event) {
    return ( ( event.keyCode || event.which ) === 9 ? true : false );
});

This allow to press tab key only.
You can add more keycodes which you want to bypass.

I below code since I have added both readonly and required it still submits the form.
After removing readonly it works properly.

https://jsfiddle.net/shantaram/hd9o7eor/

_x000D_
_x000D_
$(function() {_x000D_
  $('#id-checkbox').change( function(){_x000D_
   $('#id-input3').prop('required', $(this).is(':checked'));_x000D_
  });_x000D_
  $('#id-input3').datepicker();_x000D_
  $("#id-input3").keypress(function(event) {_x000D_
    return ( ( event.keyCode || event.which ) === 9 ? true : false );_x000D_
});_x000D_
});
_x000D_
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>_x000D_
_x000D_
<script src="https://code.jquery.com/ui/1.12.1/jquery-ui.js"></script>_x000D_
_x000D_
<link href="https://code.jquery.com/ui/jquery-ui-git.css" rel="stylesheet"/>_x000D_
_x000D_
<form action='https://jsfiddle.net/'>_x000D_
Name:  <input type="text" name='xyz' id='id-input3' readonly='true' required='true'> _x000D_
    <input type='checkbox' id='id-checkbox'> Required <br>_x000D_
    <br>_x000D_
    <input type='submit' value='Submit'>_x000D_
</form>
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_


replace the ID of time picker: IDofDatetimePicker to your id.

This will prevent the user from entering any further keyboard inputs but still, the user will be able to access the time popup.

$("#my_txtbox").keypress(function(event) {event.preventDefault();});

Try this source: https://github.com/jonthornton/jquery-timepicker/issues/109


To datepicker to popup on gain focus:

$(".selector").datepicker({ showOn: 'both' })

If you don't want user input, add this to the input field

<input type="text" name="date" readonly="readonly" />

$("#txtfromdate").datepicker({         
    numberOfMonths: 2,
    maxDate: 0,               
    dateFormat: 'dd-M-yy'       
}).attr('readonly', 'readonly');

add the readonly attribute in the jquery.


<input type="text" readonly="true" />

causes the textbox to lose its value after postback.

You rather should use Brad8118's suggestion which is working perfectly.

$("#my_txtbox").keypress(function(event) {event.preventDefault();});

EDIT: to get it working for IE use 'keydown' instead of 'keypress'


You have two options to get this done. (As far as i know)

  1. Option A: Make your text field read only. It can be done as follows.

  2. Option B: Change the curser onfocus. Set ti to blur. it can be done by setting up the attribute onfocus="this.blur()" to your date picker text field.

Ex: <input type="text" name="currentDate" id="currentDate" onfocus="this.blur()" readonly/>


Based on my experience I would recommend the solution suggested by Adhip Gupta:

$("#my_txtbox").attr( 'readOnly' , 'true' );

The following code won't let the user type new characters, but will allow them to delete characters:

$("#my_txtbox").keypress(function(event) {event.preventDefault();});

Additionally, this will render the form useless to those who have JavaScript disabled:

<input type="text" readonly="true" />

If you want the user to select a date from the datepicker but you dont want the user to type inside the textbox then use the following code :

<script type="text/javascript">
$(function () {
    $("#datepicker").datepicker({ maxDate: "-1D" }).attr('readonly', 'readonly');
    $("#datepicker").readonlyDatepicker(true);

});


This question has a lot of older answers and readonly seems to be the generally accepted solution. I believe the better approach in modern browsers is to use the inputmode="none" in the HTML input tag:

<input type="text" ... inputmode="none" />

or, if you prefer to do it in script:

$(selector).attr('inputmode', 'none');

I haven't tested it extensively, but it is working well on the Android setups I have used it with.


Or you could, for example, use a hidden field to store the value...

        <asp:HiddenField ID="hfDay" runat="server" />

and in the $("#my_txtbox").datepicker({ options:

        onSelect: function (dateText, inst) {
            $("#<% =hfDay.ClientID %>").val(dateText);
        }

I just came across this so I am sharing here. Here is the option

https://eonasdan.github.io/bootstrap-datetimepicker/Options/#ignorereadonly

Here is the code.

HTML

<br/>
<!-- padding for jsfiddle -->
<div class="input-group date" id="arrival_date_div">
  <input type="text" class="form-control" id="arrival_date" name="arrival_date" required readonly="readonly" />
  <span class="input-group-addon">
    <span class="glyphicon-calendar glyphicon"></span>
  </span>
</div>

JS

$('#arrival_date_div').datetimepicker({
  format: "YYYY-MM-DD",
  ignoreReadonly: true
});

Here is the fiddle:

http://jsfiddle.net/matbaric/wh1cb6cy/

My version of bootstrap-datetimepicker.js is 4.17.45


I've found that the jQuery Calendar plugin, for me at least, in general just works better for selecting dates.


Instead of adding readonly you can also use onkeypress="return false;"


If you are reusing the date-picker at multiple places then it would be apt to modify the textbox also via JavaScript by using something like:

$("#my_txtbox").attr( 'readOnly' , 'true' );

right after/before the place where you initialize your datepicker.


After initialising the date picker:

$(".project-date").datepicker({
    dateFormat: 'd M yy'
});

$(".project-date").keydown(false);

HTML

<input class="date-input" type="text" readonly="readonly" />

CSS

.date-input {
      background-color: white;
      cursor: pointer;
}

This demo sort of does that by putting the calendar over the text field so you can't type in it. You can also set the input field to read only in the HTML to be sure.

<input type="text" readonly="true" />