val for Form Fields
val for Form Fields: free step-by-step lesson with examples, common mistakes, and interview tips — part of jQuery Tutorial on Toolliyo Academy.
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jQuery Tutorial · Lesson 12 of 100
val for Form Fields
Setup & DOM → Events Effects AJAX → Perf & Integrate → Ship & Projects
Setup & DOM · 1 — Select · ~6 min · DOM Updates
What is this?
val() reads or writes the value of inputs, selects, and textareas. Checkboxes and multi-selects need care — use .prop("checked") for boolean state and val() for the value string.
Why should you care?
Almost every QueryVerse create/edit form reads fields with val() before an AJAX post.
See it live — copy this example
Examples include the jQuery 3.7 CDN. Paste into an HTML file or use Run Example to preview.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>QueryVerse</title>
<style>
body { font-family: system-ui, sans-serif; margin: 1.25rem; }
.box { padding: .75rem; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 8px; margin: .5rem 0; }
.muted { color: #666; }
button { margin-right: .35rem; margin-top: .35rem; }
input, select, textarea { margin: .25rem 0; }
table { border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; }
th, td { border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: .4rem .55rem; text-align: left; }
.hidden { display: none; }
.row-odd { background: #f7f7f7; }
.active { font-weight: 700; }
.toast { background: #111; color: #fff; padding: .5rem .75rem; border-radius: 6px; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<label>SKU <input id="sku" value="QV-100"></label>
<label>Qty <input id="qty" type="number" value="2"></label>
<label>Warehouse
<select id="wh">
<option value="mum">Mumbai</option>
<option value="blr" selected>Bengaluru</option>
<option value="del">Delhi</option>
</select>
</label>
<button type="button" id="read">Read</button>
<button type="button" id="write">Set demo values</button>
<pre id="out" class="box muted"></pre>
<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.7.1.min.js"></script>
<script>
$(function () {
$('#read').on('click', function () {
$('#out').text(JSON.stringify({
sku: $('#sku').val(),
qty: Number($('#qty').val()),
warehouse: $('#wh').val()
}, null, 2));
});
$('#write').on('click', function () {
$('#sku').val('QV-250');
$('#qty').val(5);
$('#wh').val('del');
});
});
</script>
</body>
</html>Run Example »
Edit the code below and click Run to see the result in Toolliyo’s live editor.
What happened?
- val() as getter returns a string (or array for multi-select).
- As setter, it updates the control and returns the collection for chaining.
- Trim user text before send.
Practice next
- Click Read and inspect JSON.
- Change the select and read again.
- Click Set demo values then Read.
- Add a checkbox and read .prop("checked").
- Disable #qty with .prop("disabled", true).
Remember
val reads/writes field values. select uses option values. Trim and coerce types at the edge.
Warehouse adjust form
An inventory clerk in a Reliance Retail back-office QueryVerse screen adjusts SKU quantity before sync.
Outcome: val() gathers sku, qty, and warehouse for the API payload.
Interview prep for this lesson
Practice these questions aloud after reading—each links to a full structured answer.
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