jQuery Forum

For the inputs you have to use ".val()" instead of ".html()"

It depends on what you're trying to do.

If they don't enter anything into the text box the value would be an empty string, you can text it with:

1. if ($("#textInp").val() == "") { .. }

So I have some formatting that goes around the value, but I want the var to equal nothing or blank, if the input wasn't filled out.

var year = '<p><strong>"' + $('#year').val() + '"</strong> - ';

So if input is blank:

var year =

if input is filled out (2012):

var year = '<p><strong>"2012"</strong> - ';

If the value is blank as you have it set up

What are your thoughts on something like this instead? It should bring my code size down, because I have quite a few inputs on this form. (22 is number of characters that var year would have if input wasn't filled out.)

var year = '<p><strong>' + $('#year').val() + '</strong> -';

((year.length > 22)? 'yes' : alert('Please fill in Year'));

If you want to save lines, then just modify Jay's initial code a little bit:

1. var year = '';
2. if($('#year').val().length > 0) {
3.       var year = '<p><strong>"' + $('#year').val() + '"</strong> - '; 
4. }