function clearForm(form) { // iterate over all of the inputs for the form // element that was passed in $(':input', form).each(function() { var type = this.type; var tag = this.tagName.toLowerCase(); // normalize case // it's ok to reset the value attr of text inputs, // password inputs, and textareas if (type == 'text' || type == 'password' || tag == 'textarea') this.value = ""; // checkboxes and radios need to have their checked state cleared // but should *not* have their 'value' changed else if (type == 'checkbox' || type == 'radio') this.checked = false; // select elements need to have their 'selectedIndex' property set to -1 // (this works for both single and multiple select elements) else if (tag == 'select') this.selectedIndex = -1; }); };