Set the maximum character length of a UITextField

Question

How can I set the maximum amount of characters in a UITextField on the iPhone SDK when I load up a UIView?

Answer 1

To complete August answer, an possible implementation of the proposed function (see UITextField's delegate).

I did not test domness code, but mine do not get stuck if the user reached the limit, and it is compatible with a new string that comes replace a smaller or equal one.

-(BOOL)textField:(UITextField *)textField shouldChangeCharactersInRange:(NSRange)range replacementString:(NSString *)string {
    //limit the size :
    int limit = 20;
    return !([textField.text length]>limit && [string length] > range.length);
}

Answer 2

Swift 3 version //***** This will NOT work with Swift 2.x! *****//

First create a new Swift file : TextFieldMaxLength.swift, and then add the code below:

import UIKit

private var maxLengths = [UITextField: Int]()

extension UITextField {

   @IBInspectable var maxLength: Int {

      get {

          guard let length = maxLengths[self] 
             else {
                return Int.max
      }
      return length
   }
   set {
      maxLengths[self] = newValue
      addTarget(
         self,
         action: #selector(limitLength),
         for: UIControlEvents.editingChanged
      )
   }
}
func limitLength(textField: UITextField) {
    guard let prospectiveText = textField.text,
        prospectiveText.characters.count > maxLength
    else {
        return
    }

   let selection = selectedTextRange
   let maxCharIndex = prospectiveText.index(prospectiveText.startIndex, offsetBy: maxLength)
   text = prospectiveText.substring(to: maxCharIndex)
   selectedTextRange = selection
   }
}

and then you will see in Storyboard a new field (Max Length) when you select any TextField

if you still have more questions check out this link: http://www.globalnerdy.com/2016/05/18/ios-programming-trick-how-to-use-xcode-to-set-a-text-fields-maximum-length-visual-studio-style/

Answer 3

now how many characters u want just give values

 - (BOOL)textField:(UITextField *)textField shouldChangeCharactersInRange:(NSRange)range   replacementString:(NSString *)string {
     NSUInteger newLength = [textField.text length] + [string length] - range.length;
     return (newLength > 25) ? NO : YES;
  }

Answer 4

Often you have multiple input fields with a different length.

- (BOOL)textField:(UITextField *)textField shouldChangeCharactersInRange:(NSRange)range replacementString:(NSString *)string {
    int allowedLength;
    switch(textField.tag) {
        case 1: 
            allowedLength = MAXLENGTHNAME;      // triggered for input fields with tag = 1
            break;
        case 2:
            allowedLength = MAXLENGTHADDRESS;   // triggered for input fields with tag = 2
            break;
        default:
            allowedLength = MAXLENGTHDEFAULT;   // length default when no tag (=0) value =255
            break;
    }

    if (textField.text.length >= allowedLength && range.length == 0) {
        return NO; // Change not allowed
    } else {
        return YES; // Change allowed
    }
}

Answer 5

This should be enough to solve the problem (replace 4 by the limit u want). Just make sure to add delegate in IB.

- (BOOL)textField:(UITextField *)textField shouldChangeCharactersInRange:(NSRange)range replacementString:(NSString *)string
{
     NSString *newString = [textField.text stringByReplacingCharactersInRange:range withString:string];
     return (newString.length<=4);
}

Answer 6

I simulate the actual string replacement that's about to happen to calculate that future string's length:

- (BOOL)textField:(UITextField *)textField shouldChangeCharactersInRange:(NSRange)range replacementString:(NSString *)string {

    NSString *newString = [textField.text stringByReplacingCharactersInRange:range withString:string];

    if([newString length] > maxLength)
       return NO;

    return YES;
}