# Metadata
Platforms: desktop, mobile OS: mac, windows, linux, ios, android Introduced: 1.0 Security:
# Syntax
the clickChar
# Examples
the clickChar
if the clickChar is not "*" then beep 2
# Description
Use the clickChar function within a mouseDown, mouseUp, or selectionChanged handler to determine which character the user clicked, in order to provide hypertext (clickable text) or take some action based on the clicked character.
The clickChar function is cleared at the next mouse click, as well as after some editing actions such as deleting text. If the last click was not in a field, the clickChar function returns empty.
If the field is locked, the clickChar function is most useful within a handler (such as mouseDown or mouseUp) that is trigger by the mouse click.
If the field is unlocked, mouseDown and mouseUp messages are not sent when the user clicks in the field (unless the user right-clicks or holds down the Control key while clicking). Use the clickChar function within a selectionChanged handler to determine what characters the user is editing in an unlock field.
To find the position of the clickChar, use the clickChunk function.
# Tags
ui,
# See
- **keyword:** field, character, characters - **message:** mouseDown, mouseUp, selectionChanged - **function:** clickCharChunk, mouseChar, charToNum, clickChunk, clickText - **glossary:** handler, unlock, message, trigger, return, hypertext - **control structure:** function