In fact, text area (and other fields - Form field objects) object always updates associated variable when user leaves field. Associated variable name is defined in Form field object properties as "Run-time variable name", along with variable scope - current slide only or all module. CourseLab always stores current value of any Form field object in this variable and updates it anytime when the focus on field is lost.
Please make sure that you are not using non-latin characters and symbols in variable name - it may lead to variable malfunction.
In fact, text area (and other fields - Form field objects) object always updates associated variable when user leaves field. Associated variable name is defined in Form field object properties as "Run-time variable name", along with variable scope - current slide only or all module. CourseLab always stores current value of any Form field object in this variable and updates it anytime when the focus on field is lost.
Please make sure that you are not using non-latin characters and symbols in variable name - it may lead to variable malfunction.