Why is the val() function returning [object Object]?

Question

Html code: ``` ``` Jquery: ``` $('#error').val('Please select Activity'); alert($('#error')); $('#popup-activity').popup("open"); ``` Hi i'm new to jquery. I'm using jquery.mobile-1.2.0-alpha.1.js which allows popups as in the above description. When I open the popup the value in the error id does not show up. In fact it shows empty. So I've put an alert box to see its value which says [object Object]. Does anyone know how to display the text in the popup?

Accepted Answer

```
$('#error').val('Please select Activity'); 
```

should be

```
$('#error').text('Please select Activity'); 
```

Or

```
$('#error').html('Please select Activity');

alert( $('#error').text() ); // or $('#error').html()
```

Because, `.val()` is for `input, textarea` controls, so you need `.text()` or `.html()`.

Why is the val() function returning [object Object]?

Solution

Problem