element. Let's check out an example: Definition and Usage. Even when the textarea gains focus, it is not resized. Screenshot example of resize grip var observe; if (window.attachEvent) { observe = function (element, event, handler) { element. your css textarea { width:400px it works in FIDDLE, it might be a problem of parent element's width, that stop textarea to resize, may be you enclosed this textarea in a table and defined that table's width that stop your textarea to resize. Currently, I can resize a textarea by clicking on the bottom right corner of the textarea and dragging the mouse. The