jQuery multiple word autocomplete

Question

Using the following javascript code

$.getJSON("../JSON/TAGS.json", function(tags) {
var tagsArray = [];
    for(var i=0; i<tags.length; i++){
        tagsArray.push(tags[i].tag);
    }
function split( val ) {
  return val.split( / \s*/ );
}
function extractLast( term ) {
  return split( term ).pop();
}

$( "#tag" )
  // don't navigate away from the field on tab when selecting an item
  .bind( "keydown", function( event ) {
    if ( event.keyCode === $.ui.keyCode.TAB &&
        $( this ).autocomplete( "instance" ).menu.active ) {
      event.preventDefault();
    }
  })
  .autocomplete({
    minLength: 2,
    source: function( request, response ) {
      // delegate back to autocomplete, but extract the last term
      response( $.ui.autocomplete.filter(
        tagsArray, extractLast( request.term ) ) );
    },
    focus: function() {
      // prevent value inserted on focus
      return false;
    },
    select: function( event, ui ) {
      var terms = split( this.value );
      // remove the current input
      terms.pop();
      // add the selected item
      terms.push( ui.item.value );
      // add placeholder to get the comma-and-space at the end
      terms.push( "" );
      this.value = terms.join( " " );
      return false;
    }
  });
 });

I can make it auto complete for multiple words and words outside the array but every time I give a space is displayed the list of words available for selection (400 words)

Answer 1

You can add a filter to the function that provides the source:

source: function( request, response ) {
  // verifica se a pesquisa não está vazia
  if ( extractLast( request.term ) ) {
     response( $.ui.autocomplete.filter(
        tagsArray, extractLast( request.term ) ) );
  }
}

---

Regarding your comment, to not load the json along with the page, you could do so:

• Leave the variable tagsArray global being an empty array, that is, declare it at the beginning of the script, outside any method with the value [].

• The autocomplete you set when loading the page the same way as it is, but outside the $.getJSON.

• When input receives focus, load json to variable tagsArray.

---

Your final script should look like this:

var tagsArray = [];

function split( val ) {
  return val.split( / \s*/ );
}

function extractLast( term ) {
  return split( term ).pop();
}

$(document).ready(function() {
  $( "#tag" )
    .bind( "keydown", function( event ) {
      if ( event.keyCode === $.ui.keyCode.TAB &&
        $( this ).autocomplete( "instance" ).menu.active ) {
        event.preventDefault();
    }
  })
  .autocomplete({
    minLength: 2,
    source: function( request, response ) {
      if ( extractLast( request.term ) ) {
        response( $.ui.autocomplete.filter(
          tagsArray, extractLast( request.term ) ) );
      }
    },
    focus: function() {
      return false;
    },
    select: function( event, ui ) {
      var terms = split( this.value );
      terms.pop();
      terms.push( ui.item.value );
      terms.push( "" );
      this.value = terms.join( " " );
      return false;
    }
  });

  // repare na utilização do método one fazendo
  // com que a função seja executada apenas uma vez
  $("#tag").one("focus", function() {
    $.getJSON("../JSON/TAGS.json", function(tags) {
      for(var i = 0; i < tags.length; i++) {
        tagsArray.push(tags[i].tag);
      }
    });
  });
});