Showing date format in Input field

[Varun Khanna]

I have an input field box. By default, when user comes to this page, I would like to show "MM/dd/yyyy" in the box and when user clicks on the box the "MM/dd/yyyy" should disappear and if user enters following digits --> 12122005 -- they should appear in the field as 12/12/2005 (i.e. / should automatically be placed), Is this something feasible? Can anyone guide me how to go with this?

P.S. Though it won't make much difference, just for information, the input box is a JSF Component.

[Eric Pascarello]

I wrote this quick, you can adapt it the way you want....

<script type="text/javascript">
  function FormatDateField(xField){
    var theText = xField.value;
    theText = theText.replace(/\//gi ,"");
    if(!(theText.length == 8 || theText.length == 8)){
      alert("Invalid Size");
      xField.focus();
      return false;
    }
    theText = theText.substring(0,2) + "/" + theText.substring(2,4) + "/" + theText.substring(4,8);
    xField.value = theText;    
  }
</script>
 
<form name="form1">
  <input type="text" name="d1" onchange="FormatDateField(this)">
</form>

Eric

[Varun Khanna]

thanks Eric, this should do good.