function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) { if (field.value.length > maxlimit) { // if too long...trim it! field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit); alert( 'This field is limited to ' + maxlimit + ' characters in length.' ); } else { // otherwise, update 'characters left' counter countfield.value = maxlimit - field.value.length; } }