# CodeIgniter User Guide Version 1.7

Search User Guide

# Text Helper

The Text Helper file contains functions that assist in working with text.

## Loading this Helper

This helper is loaded using the following code:

`$this->load->helper('text');`

The following functions are available:

## word_limiter()

Truncates a string to the number of words specified. Example:

`$string = "Here is a nice text string consisting of eleven words.";
$string = word_limiter($string, 4);
// Returns: Here is a nice…`

The third parameter is an optional suffix added to the string. By default it adds an ellipsis.

## character_limiter()

Truncates a string to the number of characters specified. It maintains the integrity of words so the character count may be slightly more or less then what you specify. Example:

`$string = "Here is a nice text string consisting of eleven words.";
$string = character_limiter($string, 20);
// Returns: Here is a nice text string…`

The third parameter is an optional suffix added to the string, if undeclared this helper uses an ellipsis.

## ascii_to_entities()

Converts ASCII values to character entities, including high ASCII and MS Word characters that can cause problems when used in a web page, so that they can be shown consistently regardless of browser settings or stored reliably in a database. There is some dependence on your server's supported character sets, so it may not be 100% reliable in all cases, but for the most part it should correctly identify characters outside the normal range (like accented characters). Example:

`$string = ascii_to_entities($string);`

## entities_to_ascii()

This function does the opposite of the previous one; it turns character entities back into ASCII.

## word_censor()

Enables you to censor words within a text string. The first parameter will contain the original string. The second will contain an array of words which you disallow. The third (optional) parameter can contain a replacement value for the words. If not specified they are replaced with pound signs: ####. Example:

`$disallowed = array('darn', 'shucks', 'golly', 'phooey');
$string = word_censor($string, $disallowed, 'Beep!');`

## highlight_code()

Colorizes a string of code (PHP, HTML, etc.). Example:

`$string = highlight_code($string);`

The function uses PHP's highlight_string() function, so the colors used are the ones specified in your php.ini file.

## highlight_phrase()

Will highlight a phrase within a text string. The first parameter will contain the original string, the second will contain the phrase you wish to highlight. The third and fourth parameters will contain the opening/closing HTML tags you would like the phrase wrapped in. Example:

`$string = "Here is a nice text string about nothing in particular.";
$string = highlight_phrase($string, "nice text", '<span style="color:#990000">', '</span>');`

The above text returns:

Here is a nice text string about nothing in particular.

## word_wrap()

Wraps text at the specified character count while maintaining complete words. Example:

`$string = "Here is a simple string of text that will help us demonstrate this function.";
echo word_wrap($string, 25);
// Would produce:
Here is a simple string
of text that will help
us demonstrate this
function`