How to check an entire string if it contains a specific word using jQuery?

Question

I need help on checking a certain word if it contains in a string that is being assigned into my input textbox. For example below, If there's a string value assigned to this textbox

<input type="text" id="StartLocation" name="StartLocation" value="1 AAC, MT SECTION, RAF SCAMPTON, LINCOLN, LN1 2ST, UNITED KINGDOM" >

I want to check if it contains the word "UNITED KINGDOM" and if does not, it should return false. I tried something like this below but it keeps returning true because the alert message is always 'It contains United Kingdom' even though I already change the value.

if ($("input#StartLocation:contains('UNITED KINGDOM')")) {
  alert('It contains United Kingdom');
} else {
  alert('It does not contains United Kingdom');
}

How do I fix this? Thanks...

`:contains` is for matching the text of container elements like `DIV` and `SPAN`, it doesn't match the value of inputs. — Barmar, Feb 08 '18 at 03:20
`contains` doesn't check attributes ... perhaps you want to check `[value*='UNITED KINGDOM']` - e.g. https://jsfiddle.net/xmkj07jh/ — Jaromanda X, Feb 08 '18 at 03:21
Possible duplicate of [JQuery string contains check](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3728022/jquery-string-contains-check) — Touheed Khan, Feb 08 '18 at 03:23

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 08 '18 at 03:22

2

You don't use :contains to test the value of an <input> element, it's for containers like <div> and <span>. Use .val() to get the value, and then use ordinary string methods.

if ($("input#StartLocation").val().indexOf("UNITED KINGDOM") != -1)

answered Feb 08 '18 at 03:22

Barmar

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Thu San · Accepted Answer · 2018-02-08T03:22:58.863

1

try this

if ($("#StartLocation").val().indexOf('UNITED KINGDOM') >= 0) {

}

edited Feb 08 '18 at 03:22

answered Feb 08 '18 at 03:21

Thu San

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score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 08 '18 at 03:26

Try this way. Use indexOf.

var value = $("#StartLocation").val();
if(value.indexOf("UNITED KINGDOM") != -1)
  alert("true");
else
  alert("false");

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<input type="text" id="StartLocation" name="StartLocation" value="1 AAC, MT SECTION, RAF SCAMPTON, LINCOLN, LN1 2ST, UNITED KINGDOM">

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Feb 08 '18 at 03:26

1

I prefer this approach, because it's more readable. But please check browser compatibility first.

if ($("#StartLocation").val().includes('UNITED KINGDOM')) {
  //your code
}

answered Feb 08 '18 at 03:26

Iván E. Sánchez

1,183
15
28

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Feb 08 '18 at 03:20

0

You can try val() and indexOf

if ($("input#StartLocation").val().indexOf('UNITED KINGDOM')>-1)) {
   //.. ToDO
}

answered Feb 08 '18 at 03:20

Suresh Atta

120,458
37
198
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How to check an entire string if it contains a specific word using jQuery?

5 Answers5