Can jQuery check whether input content has changed?

Question

Is it possible to bind javascript (jQuery is best) event to "change" form input value somehow?

I know about .change() method, but it does not trigger until you (the cursor) leave(s) the input field. I have also considered using .keyup() method but it reacts also on arrow keys and so on.

I need just trigger an action every time the text in the input changes, even if it's only one letter change.

Answer 1

There is a simple solution, which is the HTML5 input event. It's supported in current versions of all major browsers for <input type="text"> elements and there's a simple workaround for IE < 9. See the following answers for more details:

• jQuery keyboard events
• Catch only keypresses that change input?

Example (except IE < 9: see links above for workaround):

$("#your_id").on("input", function() {
    alert("Change to " + this.value);
});