This is how I usually do that:
1. Create a "task" property in your form.
2. Create a <html:hidden property="task" value="idOfTheButton"/>
3. Add this js code to the
JSP function setTask (formName, task)
{
formName.task.value = task;
formName.submit();
}
4.The button should submit the page, then in the Action class, after checking if the task property is null or not, set any property you may need.
5. Use a <logic:notEMpty property="task"> in you jsp to show the textarea.
6. You are done.