# Text Input

Displays the latest datastream of data type string value, and allows the user to enter and assign a new text value.

### Datastream

Select or create a datastream of [data type](https://docs.blynk.io/en/~/revisions/ynmC8lZ6FPocTYWigjcO/blynk.console/templates/datastreams/datastreams-common-settings/data-type) string.

### Widget Controls

The widget only has a text display/input field.

### How to process widget input on the device

When the text is entered into the widget input field, the value is sent and stored into the Blynk.Cloud. After that it's sent to your device.

#### Reading the widget value(s)

For example, if the Widget is set to Datastream with Virtual Pin V1, you can use such code:

```cpp
BLYNK_WRITE(V2) {   
  // Called when the datastream virtual pin V2 is updated 
  // by Blynk.Console, Blynk.App, or HTTP API. 

  String value = param.asStr();
  // OR:
  //String value = param.asString();


  Serial.print("V2 = '");
  Serial.print(value);
  Serial.println("'");    
    
} // BLYNK_WRITE()
```

#### Changing the datastream value(s)

You can set the state of the widget by updating the assigned datastream value using the hardware or HTTP API. If datastream virtual pin V2 is data type string:

**Hardware:**

```cpp
Blynk.virtualWrite(V2, “My new datastream value”);
```

**HTTP API:**

```cpp
https://{server_address}/external/api/update/?token={your 32 char token}&V2=My%20new%20datastream%20value
```

{% hint style="danger" %}
Don't put **`Blynk.virtualWrite()`**into the **`void loop()`** as it can cause a flood of messages and your hardware will be disconnected. Send such updates only when necessary, use flags, or [timers](https://docs.blynk.io/en/~/revisions/ynmC8lZ6FPocTYWigjcO/blynk-library-firmware-api/blynk-timer).
{% endhint %}

Sketch:[ Basic Sketch](https://github.com/blynkkk/blynk-library/blob/master/examples/GettingStarted/BlynkBlink/BlynkBlink.ino)

Sketch:[ ](https://github.com/blynkkk/blynk-library/blob/master/examples/More/Sync/ButtonInterrupt/ButtonInterrupt.ino)[Set Property](https://github.com/blynkkk/blynk-library/blob/master/examples/More/SetProperty/SetProperty_SingleValue/SetProperty_SingleValue.ino)

Sketch:[ ](https://github.com/blynkkk/blynk-library/blob/master/examples/More/Sync/ButtonPoll/ButtonPoll.ino)[VirtualPinWrite](https://github.com/blynkkk/blynk-library/blob/master/examples/GettingStarted/VirtualPinWrite/VirtualPinWrite.ino)

Sketch: [VirtualPinRead](https://github.com/blynkkk/blynk-library/blob/master/examples/GettingStarted/VirtualPinRead/VirtualPinRead.ino)

### Change Widget Properties

You can change certain properties of the Widget from your hardware. For that, use this command: 

```cpp
Blynk.setProperty(vPin, "widgetProperty", "propertyValue"); 
```

Where: 

* `vPin` is: virtual pin number the widget is assigned to
* `widgetProperty`: property you want to change
* `propertyValue`: value of the property you want to change

{% hint style="danger" %}
Don't put **`Blynk.setProperty()`**into the **`void loop()`** as it can cause a flood of messages and your hardware will be disconnected. Send such updates only when necessary, or use timers.
{% endhint %}

### Properties you can change

You can change the properties *label*, *color*, *isDisabled*, *isHidden* of the widget from your hardware, or via an [HTTP API](https://docs.blynk.io/en/~/revisions/ynmC8lZ6FPocTYWigjcO/blynk.cloud). The URL must be encoded, so spaces in labels must be replaced with %20, and color hexadecimal values in the HTTP API URL must include the hash # character urlencoded as %23. 

#### **Change Widget Label**

```cpp
Blynk.setProperty(V1, "label", "Air temperature");
```

#### **Set Text Color**

```cpp
//#D3435C - Blynk RED 
Blynk.setProperty(V1, "color", "#D3435C");
```

#### **Disable/Enable**

Widget will be greyed out on UI and users won't be able to tap on it.

```cpp
Blynk.setProperty(V1, "isDisabled", true);
```

#### **Show/Hide**

Widget will be hidden from dashboard. Design your UI so that it doesn't look weird when there is no widget.

```cpp
Blynk.setProperty(V1, "isHidden", true);
```

### Change widget properties via HTTPs API

## Updates the Datastream Property and all assigned Widgets

<mark style="color:blue;">`GET`</mark> `https://{server_address}/external/api/update/property?token={your 32 char token}&pin={your vPin}&{property}={value}`

The endpoint allows you to update the Datastream Property value via GET request. All widgets (both web and mobile) that are assigned to this datastream will inherit this property. The Datastream Property is persistent and will be stored forever until you change it with another value. In order to clear the property you need to clear the device data in device actions menu.

**Example:**\
`https://blynk.cloud/external/api/update/property?token=GVki9IC70vb3IqvsV0YD3el4y0OpneL1&pin=V2&label=My%20Label`

`https://blynk.cloud/external/api/update/property?token=GVki9IC70vb3IqvsV0YD3el4y0OpneL1&pin=V1&color=%23D3435C`

`https://blynk.cloud/external/api/update/property?token=GVki9IC70vb3IqvsV0YD3el4y0OpneL1&pin=V1&isDisabled=true`

#### Path Parameters

| Name                                               | Type   | Description                                                                                                                                                                  |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| {server address}<mark style="color:red;">\*</mark> | string | Get from the bottom right of your Blynk console. [More information](https://docs.blynk.io/en/~/revisions/ynmC8lZ6FPocTYWigjcO/blynk.cloud/device-https-api/troubleshooting). |

#### Query Parameters

| Name                                    | Type   | Description                                                                                                                                                     |
| --------------------------------------- | ------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| token<mark style="color:red;">\*</mark> | string | Device [auth token](https://docs.blynk.io/en/~/revisions/ynmC8lZ6FPocTYWigjcO/concepts/device#authtoken) from Device info                                       |
| pin<mark style="color:red;">\*</mark>   | string | The datastream [virtual pin](https://docs.blynk.io/en/~/revisions/ynmC8lZ6FPocTYWigjcO/blynk.console/templates/datastreams/virtual-pin) (should start with "v") |
| {property}                              | string | The property of the widget you want to update: `label`, `color`, `isDisabled`, `isHidden`                                                                       |
| label                                   | string | the text used as widget label                                                                                                                                   |
| color                                   | string | button color hexadecimal, must include the hash # character urlencoded as %23                                                                                   |
| isDisabled                              | string | true or false                                                                                                                                                   |
| isHidden                                | string | true or false                                                                                                                                                   |

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="200 Success" %}

```
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="400 Could not find a device token" %}

```
{"error":{"message":"Invalid token."}}
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### **Sync to the latest known state**&#x20;

You can update your hardware to the latest datastream value from Blynk.Cloud after your hardware went offline, and then came online again. Use `Blynk.syncVirtual()` to update a single virtual pin, or `Blynk.syncAll()` to update all virtual pins. See [State Syncing](https://docs.blynk.io/en/~/revisions/ynmC8lZ6FPocTYWigjcO/blynk-library-firmware-api/state-syncing) for more details.

```cpp
BLYNK_CONNECTED() { 
  // Called when hardware is connected to Blynk.Cloud  

  // get the latest value for V1
  Blynk.syncVirtual(V1); 

  // Request Blynk server to re-send latest values for all pins
  Blynk.syncAll()
}
```