> Markdown version of [Retrieving User Input](https://vaadin.com/docs/v24/flow/create-ui/element-api/user-input). Section index: [llms.txt](https://vaadin.com/docs/v24/flow/llms.txt)

# Retrieving User Input Using the Element API

This section demonstrates how to use the `Element` API to retrieve user input. The example adds a text input field that allows the user to enter their name.

1. Create a text input element.

   **Example**: Creating a `textInput` element with a `placeholder` attribute.

   ```java
   Element textInput = ElementFactory.createInput();
   textInput.setAttribute("placeholder",
           "Enter your name");
   ```

2. Transfer the value to the server by asking the client to update the server-side input element every time the value changes in the browser.

   **Example**: Using the `addPropertyChangeListener()` method with a NO-OP listener to update the value of the text input element.

   ```java
   textInput.addPropertyChangeListener("value", "change", e -> {});
   ```

   - Configures Flow to synchronize the `value` property to the server side when a `change` event occurs.

     > **Note:** As an alternative, you can use the `addEventData()` method to transfer the value from the input to the server. See [Using the Element API to Listen to User Events](https://vaadin.com/docs/v24/flow/create-ui/element-api/event-listener.md) for more.

3. Retrieve the synchronized properties using the `Element.getProperty()` API.

   **Example**: Using the `textInput.getProperty("value")` method to retrieve the property value.

   ```java
   button.addEventListener("click", e -> {
       String responseText = "Hello " +
               textInput.getProperty("value");
       Element response = ElementFactory
               .createDiv(responseText);
       getElement().appendChild(response);
   });
   ```

> **Note:** The `value` property of the `TextInput` element returns `null` if the property wasn’t previously set and the user hasn’t typed text into the field.

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