How can I set "maxChars" of the TextInput in an editable ComboBox?
Problem
I have an editable ComboBox which has a dataProvider with item labels of length greater than 50, however I need to limit the length of the user-defined label to 50, whether they type it, or it is selected from the dropDown.
Solution
Extend the ComboBox Class, adding a property to specify the maximum number of characters allowed for the TextInput.
Detailed explanation
package
{
import mx.controls.ComboBox;
public class ComboBoxWithMaxChars extends ComboBox
{
public function ComboBoxWithMaxChars()
{
super();
}
private var _maxCharsForTextInput:int;
public function set maxCharsForTextInput(value:int):void
{
_maxCharsForTextInput = value;
if (super.textInput != null && _maxCharsForTextInput > 0)
super.textInput.maxChars = _maxCharsForTextInput;
}
public function get maxCharsForTextInput():int
{
return _maxCharsForTextInput;
}
// This function is called when an item is selected from the dropdown.
override public function itemToLabel(item:Object):String
{
var label:String = super.itemToLabel(item);
if (_maxCharsForTextInput > 0)
label = label.substr(0, _maxCharsForTextInput);
return label;
}
}
}
