How can I shift-select multiple checkboxes like GMail?
JavascriptGmailJavascript Problem Overview
In GMail, the user can click on one checkbox in the email list, hold down the Shift key, and select a second checkbox. The JavaScript will then select/unselect the checkboxes that are between the two checboxes.
I am curious as to how this is done? Is this JQuery or some basic (or complex) JavaScript?
Javascript Solutions
Solution 1 - Javascript
I wrote a self-contained demo that uses jquery:
$(document).ready(function() {
var $chkboxes = $('.chkbox');
var lastChecked = null;
$chkboxes.click(function(e) {
if (!lastChecked) {
lastChecked = this;
return;
}
if (e.shiftKey) {
var start = $chkboxes.index(this);
var end = $chkboxes.index(lastChecked);
$chkboxes.slice(Math.min(start,end), Math.max(start,end)+ 1).prop('checked', lastChecked.checked);
}
lastChecked = this;
});
});
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk1" class="chkbox" value="1" />Check 1<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk2" class="chkbox" value="2" />Check 2<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk3" class="chkbox" value="3" />Check 3<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk4" class="chkbox" value="4" />Check 4<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk5" class="chkbox" value="5" />Check 5<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk6" class="chkbox" value="6" />Check 6<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk7" class="chkbox" value="7" />Check 7<br/>
</body>
</html>
Solution 2 - Javascript
This is done through fairly simple javascript.
They keep track of the id of the last checked box and when when another checkbox is checked they use the shiftKey event attribute to see if shift was held while clicking the checkbox. If so they set the checked property of each checkbox in between the two to true.
To determine when a box is checked they probably use an onclick event on the checkboxes
Solution 3 - Javascript
Recently, I wrote a jQuery plugin that provide that feature and more.
After including the plugin you just need to initialize the context of checkboxes with the following code snippet:
$('#table4').checkboxes({ range: true });
Here is the link to the documentation, demo & download: http://rmariuzzo.github.io/checkboxes.js/
Solution 4 - Javascript
It seems like every answer I can find online is completely dependent on jQuery for this. JQuery adds very little functionality. Here's a quick version that doesn't require any frameworks:
function allow_group_select_checkboxes(checkbox_wrapper_id){
var lastChecked = null;
var checkboxes = document.querySelectorAll('#'+checkbox_wrapper_id+' input[type="checkbox"]');
//I'm attaching an index attribute because it's easy, but you could do this other ways...
for (var i=0;i<checkboxes.length;i++){
checkboxes[i].setAttribute('data-index',i);
}
for (var i=0;i<checkboxes.length;i++){
checkboxes[i].addEventListener("click",function(e){
if(lastChecked && e.shiftKey) {
var i = parseInt(lastChecked.getAttribute('data-index'));
var j = parseInt(this.getAttribute('data-index'));
var check_or_uncheck = this.checked;
var low = i; var high=j;
if (i>j){
var low = j; var high=i;
}
for(var c=0;c<checkboxes.length;c++){
if (low <= c && c <=high){
checkboxes[c].checked = check_or_uncheck;
}
}
}
lastChecked = this;
});
}
}
And then initialize it whenever you need it:
allow_group_select_checkboxes('[id of a wrapper that contains the checkboxes]')
Solution 5 - Javascript
Got this solution from <http://abcoder.com/javascript/jquery/simple-check-uncheck-all-jquery-function/> (now dead):
JavaScript and HTML code
var NUM_BOXES = 10;
// last checkbox the user clicked
var last = -1;
function check(event) {
// in IE, the event object is a property of the window object
// in Mozilla, event object is passed to event handlers as a parameter
if (!event) { event = window.event }
var num = parseInt(/box\[(\d+)\]/.exec(this.name)[1]);
if (event.shiftKey && last != -1) {
var di = num > last ? 1 : -1;
for (var i = last; i != num; i += di) {
document.forms.boxes['box[' + i + ']'].checked = true;
}
}
last = num;
}
function init() {
for (var i = 0; i < NUM_BOXES; i++) {
document.forms.boxes['box[' + i + ']'].onclick = check;
}
}
<body onload="init()">
<form name="boxes">
<input name="box[0]" type="checkbox">
<input name="box[1]" type="checkbox">
<input name="box[2]" type="checkbox">
<input name="box[3]" type="checkbox">
<input name="box[4]" type="checkbox">
<input name="box[5]" type="checkbox">
<input name="box[6]" type="checkbox">
<input name="box[7]" type="checkbox">
<input name="box[8]" type="checkbox">
<input name="box[9]" type="checkbox">
</form>
</body>
Solution 6 - Javascript
Well, the post is quite old but here is a solution I've just come across: jQuery Field Plug-In
Solution 7 - Javascript
Inspired by the fine answers provided, here's a plain JavaScript version using Array.prototype to coerce nodelists to use array functions, rather than for loops.
(function () { // encapsulating variables with IIFE
var lastcheck = null // no checkboxes clicked yet
// get desired checkboxes
var checkboxes = document.querySelectorAll('div.itemslist input[type=checkbox]')
// loop over checkboxes to add event listener
Array.prototype.forEach.call(checkboxes, function (cbx, idx) {
cbx.addEventListener('click', function (evt) {
// test for shift key, not first checkbox, and not same checkbox
if ( evt.shiftKey && null !== lastcheck && idx !== lastcheck ) {
// get range of checks between last-checkbox and shift-checkbox
// Math.min/max does our sorting for us
Array.prototype.slice.call(checkboxes, Math.min(lastcheck, idx), Math.max(lastcheck, idx))
// and loop over each
.forEach(function (ccbx) {
ccbx.checked = true
})
}
lastcheck = idx // set this checkbox as last-checked for later
})
})
}())
<div class="itemslist">
<input type="checkbox" name="one" value="1">
<input type="checkbox" name="two" value="2">
<input type="checkbox" name="three" value="3">
<input type="checkbox" name="four" value="4">
<input type="checkbox" name="five" value="5">
</div>
Solution 8 - Javascript
I took the jQuery version from @BC. and transformed it into an ES6 version, since the code is actually pretty elegantly solving the problem, in case anyone still stumbles across this...
function enableGroupSelection( selector ) {
let lastChecked = null;
const checkboxes = Array.from( document.querySelectorAll( selector ) );
checkboxes.forEach( checkbox => checkbox.addEventListener( 'click', event => {
if ( !lastChecked ) {
lastChecked = checkbox;
return;
}
if ( event.shiftKey ) {
const start = checkboxes.indexOf( checkbox );
const end = checkboxes.indexOf( lastChecked );
checkboxes
.slice( Math.min( start, end ), Math.max( start, end ) + 1 )
.forEach( checkbox => checkbox.checked = lastChecked.checked );
}
lastChecked = checkbox;
} ) );
}
Solution 9 - Javascript
I realy liked gyo's example and added some code so it works on all checkboxes with the same name.
I also added a MutationObserver so events are also handled on newly added checkboxes.
$(document).ready(function() {
var previouslyClicked = {};
var rangeEventHandler = function(event) {
if (event.shiftKey && previouslyClicked[this.name] && this != previouslyClicked[this.name]) {
var $checkboxes = $('input[type=checkbox][name='+this.name+']').filter(':visible');
var start = $checkboxes.index( this );
var end = $checkboxes.index( previouslyClicked[this.name] );
// console.log('range', start, end, this, previouslyClicked[this.name]); $checkboxes.slice(Math.min(start,end), Math.max(start,end)+ 1).prop('checked', previouslyClicked[this.name].checked); } else { previouslyClicked[this.name] = this; } };
if ("MutationObserver" in window) { // https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/MutationObserver/MutationObserver to refresh on new checkboxes
var mutationCallback = function(mutationList, observer) {
mutationList.forEach((mutation) => {
mutation.addedNodes.forEach((node) => {
if (node.nodeName == 'INPUT' && node.type == 'checkbox') {
$(node).on('click.selectRange', rangeEventHandler);
}
});
});
};
var observer = new MutationObserver(mutationCallback);
observer.observe(document, {
childList: true,
attributes: false, // since name is dynamically read
subtree: true
});
}
$('input[type=checkbox][name]').on('click.selectRange', rangeEventHandler);
});
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.3.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<div>
First:
<input type="checkbox" name="first">
<input type="checkbox" name="first">
<input type="checkbox" name="first">
<input type="checkbox" name="first">
<input type="checkbox" name="first">
</div>
<div>
Second:
<input type="checkbox" name="second">
<input type="checkbox" name="second">
<input type="checkbox" name="second">
<input type="checkbox" name="second">
<input type="checkbox" name="second">
</div>
</body>
</html>
Solution 10 - Javascript
-
Found the better solution it works for both select and deselects checkboxes.
-
Uses a core javascript & Jquery.
$(document).ready(function() {
var $chkboxes = $('.chkbox');
var lastChecked = null;
$chkboxes.click(function(e) {
if(!lastChecked) {
lastChecked = this;
return;
}
if(e.shiftKey) {
var start = $chkboxes.index(this);
var end = $chkboxes.index(lastChecked);
$chkboxes.slice(Math.min(start,end), Math.max(start,end)+ 1).prop('checked', e.target.checked);
}
lastChecked = this;
});
});
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk1" class="chkbox" value="1" />Check 1<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk2" class="chkbox" value="2" />Check 2<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk3" class="chkbox" value="3" />Check 3<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk4" class="chkbox" value="4" />Check 4<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk5" class="chkbox" value="5" />Check 5<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk6" class="chkbox" value="6" />Check 6<br/>
<input type="checkbox" id="id_chk7" class="chkbox" value="7" />Check 7<br/>
</body>
</html>
Solution 11 - Javascript
This is jquery solution that I wrote and use:
-
All checkboxes have same class named
chksel -
For faster individual selection a class will carry the order named
chksel_index -
Also each
checkboxhas an attribute namedrgthat contain same indexvar chksel_last=-1; $('.chksel').click(function(ev){ if(ev.shiftKey){var i=0; if(chksel_last >=0){ if($(this).attr('rg') >= chksel_last){ for(i=chksel_last;i<=$(this).attr('rg');i++){$('.chksel_'+i).attr('checked','true')}} if($(this).attr('rg') <= chksel_last){for(i=$(this).attr('rg');i<=chksel_last;i++){$('.chksel_'+i).attr('checked','true')}} } chksel_last=$(this).attr('rg'); }else{chksel_last=$(this).attr('rg');}})
Solution 12 - Javascript
Here is also another implementation similar to Outlooks multiple selection..
<script type="text/javascript">
function inRange(x, range)
{
return (x >= range[0] && x <= range[1]);
}
$(document).ready(function() {
var $chkboxes = $('.chkbox');
var firstClick = 1;
var lastClick = null;
var range = [];
$chkboxes.click(function(e) {
if(!e.shiftKey && !e.ctrlKey) {
$('#index-' + firstClick).prop('checked', false);
firstClick = $chkboxes.index(this) + 1;
if (firstClick !== null && firstClick !== ($chkboxes.index(this)+1)) {
$('#index-' + firstClick).prop('checked', true);
}
} else if (e.shiftKey) {
lastClick = $chkboxes.index(this) + 1;
if ((firstClick < lastClick) && !inRange(lastClick, range)) {
for (i = firstClick; i < lastClick; i++) {
$('#index-' + i).prop('checked', true);
}
range = [firstClick, lastClick];
} else if ((firstClick > lastClick) && !inRange(lastClick, range)) {
for (i = lastClick; i < firstClick; i++) {
$('#index-' + i).prop('checked', true);
}
range = [lastClick, firstClick];
} else if ((firstClick < lastClick) && inRange(lastClick, range)) {
for (i = 1; i < 100; i++) {
$('#index-' + i).prop('checked', false);
}
for (i = firstClick; i < lastClick; i++) {
$('#index-' + i).prop('checked', true);
}
range = [firstClick, lastClick];
}else if ((firstClick > lastClick) && inRange(lastClick, range)) {
for (i = 1; i < 100; i++) {
$('#index-' + i).prop('checked', false);
}
for (i = lastClick; i < firstClick; i++) {
$('#index-' + i).prop('checked', true);
}
range = [lastClick, firstClick];
}
}
});
});
Solution 13 - Javascript
this solution works for me, also ajax based for DataTables https://jsfiddle.net/6ouhv7bw/4/
<table id="dataTable">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><input type="checkbox"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><input type="checkbox"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><input type="checkbox"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><input type="checkbox"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<script>
$(document).ready(function() {
var $chkboxes = $('#dataTable');
var $range = '#dataTable tbody';
var $first = false;
var $indexWrapp = 'tr';
var lastChecked = null;
var $checkboxes = 'input[type="checkbox"]';
$chkboxes.on('click',$checkboxes,function(e) {
if ($first===false) {
lastChecked = $(this).closest($indexWrapp).index();
lastCheckedInput = $(this).prop('checked');
$first=true;
return;
}
if (e.shiftKey) {
var start = lastChecked;
var end = $(this).closest($indexWrapp).index();
$( $range+' '+$indexWrapp).each(function() {
$currIndex=$(this).index();
if( $currIndex>=start && $currIndex<=end ){
$(this).find($checkboxes).prop('checked', lastCheckedInput);
}
})
}
lastCheckedInput = $(this).prop('checked');
lastChecked = $(this).closest($indexWrapp).index();
});
</script>
Solution 14 - Javascript
Here is the Elegant implementation. The idea is to store the first selected input to the lastChecked variable and when the user selects the input field with shiftKey we will run a loop and toggle the inBetween(boolean) and mark all the checkboxes with true value. Inspired by Wesbos.
let checkboxes= document.querySelectorAll('.wrapper input[type="checkbox"]');
let lastChecked;
function logic(e)
{
let inBetween= false;
if(e.shiftKey)
{
checkboxes.forEach(checkbox=>{
if(checkbox===this || checkbox===lastChecked)
{
inBetween =!inBetween;
}
if(inBetween) checkbox.checked=true;
})
}
lastChecked= this;
}
checkboxes.forEach((checkbox,i) => checkbox.addEventListener('click',logic));
.wrapper{
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
}
<div class="wrapper">
<input type="checkbox" name="one">
<input type="checkbox" name="two">
<input type="checkbox" name="three">
<input type="checkbox" name="four">
<input type="checkbox" name="five">
</div>