AS3: Change TextField Text on multiple instances of the same MovieClip - actionscript-3

Question

I have a MovieClip called "number" in the library. I need to add multiple instances of that MovieClip to stage. Instances should be called number1, number2,number3...and each one needs to have different text inside it.
Is it possible to do this without code, just using flash interface tools? If not, could someone help me with coding that?
Thanks!

Answer 1

For an Class linked MyNumber containing a text field named output:
const N:int = 3; // 3 instances
const TEXTS:Array = ['text 1', 'text 2', 'text 3']; // 3 texts
var n:MyNumber;
for (var i:int = 0; i < N; i++) {
n = new MyNumber();
n.y = 50 * i;
n.output.text = TEXTS[i];
this.addChild(n);
}

Answer 2

You have to use code - at least a little bit.
In addition to #helloflash's answer, here is a simpler solution (with some caveats described below).
On your movieClip, make your text box dynamic, and give it an instance name of txt (or whatever you'd like). Then, put the following line of code on the first frame of your movieClips's timeline:
txt.text = this.name; //works if your text is a simple word with no spaces/puntuaction/symbols and doesn't match any actionscript keywords
This will set the text to whatever the instance name of each movieClip is. Will work great if you text is something simple like "Hello" or "Player1".
Now, if you're text is a number (or starts with one), or your text matches a keyword or already defined variable (like this/continue/function/break/stop/play etc), you'll need make it a bit more complicated, something like this:
txt.text = this.name.replace("$MC_","");
Then give your instance name in this format: $MC_stop, the code will strip out the $MC_ part and show the rest. so the text field would be "stop".
Now, if you want to include spaces, or most symbols (dollar sign, underscore and dash I think are the only supported ones), you'll have to add a replace for each one and create a place holder for that character.
So if your text was "This is my text", you should give it an instance name of `this_is_my_text" and this should be the code:
txt.text = this.name.replace("_"," "); //replace all underscores with space
Add as many replace statements for as many characters you need.
So, if you text was "1. This is my text!!!" - The instance name could be: $MC_1$dot_This_is_my_text$ex$ex$ex and the code:
txt.text = this.name.replace("$MC_","").replace("_"," ").replace("$dot",".").replace("$ex","!"); //you can keep chaining on as many replace statements as you need.
Of course, at this point you might as well just use full on code like #helloflash's answer. But if you text isn't that complicated, this may be a good solution for you.