How to Easily Change a to textarea with an onclick Function in JavaScript

Learn how to replace an HTML ` a ` element with a ` textarea ` using JavaScript. This step-by-step guide will show you how to implement an `onclick` function to achieve this simple yet effective task.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: how can i change a exemple /a to textarea exemple /textarea with onclick function?

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Transforming an <a> Element into a <textarea>

If you've ever wanted to convert a clickable link into a text area for editing purposes, you're in the right place! In this guide, we'll go through a common problem and provide a simple solution using JavaScript. The goal is to replace an HTML <a> element with a <textarea> element when you click an icon.

The Problem

You have a piece of HTML that contains an anchor tag (<a>) and you want to replace it with a text area (<textarea>) when an icon is clicked. Here’s how the HTML is structured:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This setup includes an icon created using Font Awesome, and inside h4, there's a link wrapped in an <a> tag that we want to convert into a text area.

The Solution

We can achieve this with a simple JavaScript function. Let’s break down the process step by step.

Step 1: Define the Function

We'll create a function called update_function that will be triggered when the icon is clicked. The function's role is to:

Identify the correct parent of the target element (the icon you clicked).

Locate the specific element we want to replace (the <a> tag).

Store its text content for use in the new <textarea>.

Remove the old <a> element and add a new <textarea> element with the same text.

Step 2: Implement the Code

Here's how the JavaScript code looks:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Combine with HTML

Make sure your HTML calls this function using onclick. Here’s a complete example:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By following these simple steps, you can easily change an <a> element into a <textarea> whenever an icon is clicked. This process can enhance user experience and functionality of your website or application, allowing users to edit text on-the-fly.

Feel free to adapt and modify the code according to your needs. Happy coding!