function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) { var fieldval = jq(field).attr('value'); if (fieldval.length > maxlimit) { // if too long...trim it! jq(field).attr('value', fieldval.substring(0, maxlimit)); alert( 'This field is limited to ' + maxlimit + ' characters in length.' ); } // update 'characters left' counter jq('input[name="' + countfield + '"]').attr('value', Math.max(maxlimit - fieldval.length, 0)); }