Creating HTML tags using regex

Question

I am looking for a javascript function that will be able to turn:

- point one
- point two
- point three

into HTML:

<li>point one</li><li>point two</li><li>point three</li>

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to StackOverflow! Please review the FAQ and consider editing your question a bit. Specifically, please include more details about your problem, especially example code that you've written to try to solve it and an explanation about why it doesn't work for you. — maerics
– maerics, Commented Aug 8, 2011 at 22:23

maerics · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-08 22:33:13Z

1

Assuming your input is a string (e.g. "- point one\n- point two...") and you want your output as a string:

function convertListItemsToLiTags(s) {
  return (""+s).replace(/^-\s*(.*?)\s*$/gm, function(s, m1) {
    return "<li>" + m1 + "</li>";
  });
}

edited Aug 8, 2011 at 22:33

answered Aug 8, 2011 at 22:28

maerics

157k47 gold badges277 silver badges299 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

user884899 Over a year ago

This is a function of pure beauty! Thank you - it works a treat.

maerics Over a year ago

You're welcome! If you think that this answer solves your problem then consider pressing the checkmark next to it to indicate that this is the "right" solution.

RobG · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-08 23:12:34Z

1

You can convert it to an HTML string by removing the unwanted bits an inserting appropriate tags:

var s = "- point one\n- point two\n- point three"

// <li>point one<li>point two<li>point three
var html = '<li>' + s.replace(/- /g,'').split('\n').join('<li>');

answered Aug 8, 2011 at 23:12

RobG

148k32 gold badges180 silver badges216 bronze badges

3 Comments

Thomas Eding Over a year ago

Change end to .join("</li><li>") + "</li>";

RobG Over a year ago

There is no need for LI closing tags, the markup is valid without them, so why put them in?

Thomas Eding Over a year ago

Interesting. I would have thought HTML wanted a more regular syntax at least for LI elements. In any case, it depends on whether or not the OP wants the closing tags (as in his example).

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Creating HTML tags using regex

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

3 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related