Add character or word count to SharePoint multi line plain text field and restrict input length

13.03.2011 Updated the code to handle pasting into the field by adding “blur” eventhandler. Referred jQuery from Google.

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14.03.2010 Updated to count down from limit to 0 and color code the counter. Also merged the “Count characters” and the “Count words” functions to one. See new code and explanation below.

I got this request from Larry:

new request for you. Character/word counter for multiple line field to display below the field. Not general for all multiple lines, but setup in a way that can set fieldinternalnames in am arr. also can we add a character limit, so user can not enterany more text.

I have several character counters. cant get it on the form. I am also looking into adding it on the create field page. calculated fields can only accept about 1000 characters. would like a way to display the count on that page.

I cannot help with the “create new column page”, as it is a server side file, shared between all site collections running on this server.

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Add a CEWP below your NewForm and EditForm and add this code:
Get the code here

Parameters explained:

• FieldInternalName: FieldInternalName of the multi line plain text field.
• countWords: true to count words, false to count characters.
• limit: 0 for no limit and count up, a value bigger then 0 to set a limit and to count down.
• colorCodeCounter: true to add orange/red coding when limit is approaching.
• counterPrefix: The text to show before the counter.

Read here how to add a CEWP to the NewForm or EditForm and how to find the FieldInternalName of your columns.

Ask if anything is unclear
Alexander