<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <mx:Application xmlns:mx="http://www.adobe.com/2006/mxml" backgroundColor="0xFFFFFF"> <mx:Script> public function changeColor():void { myTextArea.setStyle("backgroundColor",0xFF0000); } </mx:Script> <mx:TextArea text="Text Area" id="myTextArea" /> <mx:Button click="changeColor()" label="Try Me" /> </mx:Application>