diff --git a/graphics/element.lua b/graphics/element.lua
index 6ed3434..d776c7f 100644
--- a/graphics/element.lua
+++ b/graphics/element.lua
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ function element.new(args)
 
     ---@class graphics_template
     local protected = {
+        value = nil,    ---@type any
         window = nil,   ---@type table
         fg_bg = core.graphics.cpair(colors.white, colors.black),
         frame = core.graphics.gframe(1, 1, 1, 1)
@@ -136,11 +137,27 @@ function element.new(args)
     function protected.on_update(...)
     end
 
-    -- get control value
+    -- get value
     function protected.get_value()
+        return protected.value
+    end
+
+    -- set value
+    ---@param value any value to set
+    function protected.set_value(value)
         return nil
     end
 
+    -- custom recolor command, varies by element if implemented
+    ---@vararg cpair|color color(s)
+    function protected.recolor(...)
+    end
+
+    -- custom resize command, varies by element if implemented
+    ---@vararg integer sizing
+    function protected.resize(...)
+    end
+
     -- start animations
     function protected.start_anim()
     end
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/multi_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/multi_button.lua
index 16ee85e..84aa65b 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/multi_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/multi_button.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 -- Button Graphics Element
 
 local element = require("graphics.element")
+
 local util    = require("scada-common.util")
 
 ---@class button_option
@@ -33,9 +34,6 @@ local function multi_button(args)
     -- single line
     args.height = 3
 
-    -- button state (convert nil to 1 if missing)
-    local state = args.default or 1
-
     -- determine widths
     local max_width = 1
     for i = 1, #args.options do
@@ -52,6 +50,9 @@ local function multi_button(args)
     -- create new graphics element base object
     local e = element.new(args)
 
+    -- button state (convert nil to 1 if missing)
+    e.value = args.default or 1
+
     -- calculate required button information
     local next_x = 2
     for i = 1, #args.options do
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ local function multi_button(args)
 
             e.window.setCursorPos(opt._start_x, 2)
 
-            if state == i then
+            if e.value == i then
                 -- show as pressed
                 e.window.setTextColor(opt.active_fg_bg.fgd)
                 e.window.setBackgroundColor(opt.active_fg_bg.bkg)
@@ -86,9 +87,6 @@ local function multi_button(args)
         end
     end
 
-    -- initial draw
-    draw()
-
     -- handle touch
     ---@param event monitor_touch monitor touch event
     function e.handle_touch(event)
@@ -98,14 +96,25 @@ local function multi_button(args)
                 local opt = args.options[i] ---@type button_option
 
                 if event.x >= opt._start_x and event.x <= opt._end_x then
-                    state = i
+                    e.value = i
                     draw()
-                    args.callback(state)
+                    args.callback(e.value)
                 end
             end
         end
     end
 
+    -- set the value
+    ---@param val integer new value
+    function e.set_value(val)
+        e.value = val
+        draw()
+        args.callback(e.value)
+    end
+
+    -- initial draw
+    draw()
+
     return e.get()
 end
 
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua
index 227b8e0..d8a1755 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 local tcd     = require("scada-common.tcallbackdsp")
 
+local core    = require("graphics.core")
 local element = require("graphics.element")
 
 ---@class push_button_args
@@ -52,12 +53,14 @@ local function push_button(args)
     function e.handle_touch(event)
         if args.active_fg_bg ~= nil then
             -- show as pressed
+            e.value = true
             e.window.setTextColor(args.active_fg_bg.fgd)
             e.window.setBackgroundColor(args.active_fg_bg.bkg)
             draw()
 
             -- show as unpressed in 0.25 seconds
             tcd.dispatch(0.25, function ()
+                e.value = false
                 e.window.setTextColor(e.fg_bg.fgd)
                 e.window.setBackgroundColor(e.fg_bg.bkg)
                 draw()
@@ -68,6 +71,12 @@ local function push_button(args)
         args.callback()
     end
 
+    -- set the value
+    ---@param val boolean new value
+    function e.set_value(val)
+        if val then e.handle_touch(core.events.touch("", 1, 1)) end
+    end
+
     -- initial draw
     draw()
 
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/scram_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/scram_button.lua
index bac3045..fc12d67 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/scram_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/scram_button.lua
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 local tcd     = require("scada-common.tcallbackdsp")
 
 local core    = require("graphics.core")
-
 local element = require("graphics.element")
 
 ---@class scram_button_args
@@ -65,6 +64,12 @@ local function scram_button(args)
         args.callback()
     end
 
+    -- set the value
+    ---@param val boolean new value
+    function e.set_value(val)
+        if val then e.handle_touch(core.events.touch("", 1, 1)) end
+    end
+
     return e.get()
 end
 
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua
index 55b80ce..ac363b2 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 -- Spinbox Numeric Graphics Element
 
 local element = require("graphics.element")
+
 local util    = require("scada-common.util")
 
 ---@class spinbox_args
@@ -19,7 +20,6 @@ local util    = require("scada-common.util")
 ---@return graphics_element element, element_id id
 local function spinbox(args)
     -- properties
-    local value = args.default or 0.0
     local digits = {}
     local wn_prec = args.whole_num_precision
     local fr_prec = args.fractional_precision
@@ -33,11 +33,6 @@ local function spinbox(args)
 
     assert(type(args.arrow_fg_bg) == "table", "graphics.element.spinbox_numeric: arrow_fg_bg is a required field")
 
-    local initial_str = util.sprintf(fmt_init, value)
-
----@diagnostic disable-next-line: discard-returns
-    initial_str:gsub("%d", function(char) table.insert(digits, char) end)
-
     -- determine widths
     args.width = wn_prec + fr_prec + util.trinary(fr_prec > 0, 1, 0)
     args.height = 3
@@ -45,6 +40,14 @@ local function spinbox(args)
     -- create new graphics element base object
     local e = element.new(args)
 
+    -- set initial value
+    e.value = args.default or 0.0
+
+    local initial_str = util.sprintf(fmt_init, e.value)
+
+---@diagnostic disable-next-line: discard-returns
+    initial_str:gsub("%d", function (char) table.insert(digits, char) end)
+
     -- draw the arrows
     e.window.setBackgroundColor(args.arrow_fg_bg.bkg)
     e.window.setTextColor(args.arrow_fg_bg.fgd)
@@ -62,7 +65,7 @@ local function spinbox(args)
     -- zero the value
     local function zero()
         for i = 1, #digits do digits[i] = 0 end
-        value = 0
+        e.value = 0
     end
 
     -- print out the current value
@@ -70,7 +73,42 @@ local function spinbox(args)
         e.window.setBackgroundColor(e.fg_bg.bkg)
         e.window.setTextColor(e.fg_bg.fgd)
         e.window.setCursorPos(1, 2)
-        e.window.write(util.sprintf(fmt, value))
+        e.window.write(util.sprintf(fmt, e.value))
+    end
+
+    -- update the value per digits table
+    local function update_value()
+        e.value = 0
+        for i = 1, #digits do
+            local pow = math.abs(wn_prec - i)
+            if i <= wn_prec then
+                e.value = e.value + (digits[i] * (10 ^ pow))
+            else
+                e.value = e.value + (digits[i] * (10 ^ -pow))
+            end
+        end
+    end
+
+    -- enforce numeric limits
+    local function enforce_limits()
+        -- min 0
+        if e.value < 0 then
+            zero()
+        -- max printable
+        elseif string.len(util.sprintf(fmt, e.value)) > args.width then
+            -- max out
+            for i = 1, #digits do digits[i] = 9 end
+
+            -- re-update value
+            update_value()
+        end
+    end
+
+    -- update value and show
+    local function parse_and_show()
+        update_value()
+        enforce_limits()
+        show_num()
     end
 
     -- init with the default value
@@ -90,27 +128,16 @@ local function spinbox(args)
                 digits[idx] = digits[idx] - 1
             end
 
-            -- update value
-            value = 0
-            for i = 1, #digits do
-                local pow = math.abs(wn_prec - i)
-                if i <= wn_prec then
-                    value = value + (digits[i] * (10 ^ pow))
-                else
-                    value = value + (digits[i] * (10 ^ -pow))
-                end
-            end
-
-            -- min 0
-            if value < 0 then zero() end
-
-            show_num()
+            parse_and_show()
         end
     end
 
-    -- get current value
-    ---@return number|integer
-    function e.get_value() return value end
+    -- set the value
+    ---@param val number number to show
+    function e.set_value(val)
+        e.value = val
+        parse_and_show()
+    end
 
     return e.get()
 end
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/start_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/start_button.lua
index 45aba40..59c8580 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/start_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/start_button.lua
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 local tcd     = require("scada-common.tcallbackdsp")
 
 local core    = require("graphics.core")
-
 local element = require("graphics.element")
 
 ---@class start_button_args
@@ -65,6 +64,12 @@ local function start_button(args)
         args.callback()
     end
 
+    -- set the value
+    ---@param val boolean new value
+    function e.set_value(val)
+        if val then e.handle_touch(core.events.touch("", 1, 1)) end
+    end
+
     return e.get()
 end
 
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua
index f7a304f..2863747 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua
@@ -26,9 +26,6 @@ local function switch_button(args)
     -- single line
     args.height = 1
 
-    -- button state (convert nil to false if missing)
-    local state = args.default or false
-
     -- determine widths
     local text_width = string.len(args.text)
     args.width = math.max(text_width + 2, args.min_width)
@@ -36,12 +33,15 @@ local function switch_button(args)
     -- create new graphics element base object
     local e = element.new(args)
 
+    -- button state (convert nil to false if missing)
+    e.value = args.default or false
+
     local h_pad = math.floor((e.frame.w - text_width) / 2)
     local v_pad = math.floor(e.frame.h / 2) + 1
 
     -- show the button state
     local function draw_state()
-        if state then
+        if e.value then
             -- show as pressed
             e.window.setTextColor(args.active_fg_bg.fgd)
             e.window.setBackgroundColor(args.active_fg_bg.bkg)
@@ -64,11 +64,22 @@ local function switch_button(args)
 ---@diagnostic disable-next-line: unused-local
     function e.handle_touch(event)
         -- toggle state
-        state = not state
+        e.value = not e.value
         draw_state()
 
         -- call the touch callback with state
-        args.callback(state)
+        args.callback(e.value)
+    end
+
+    -- set the value
+    ---@param val boolean new value
+    function e.set_value(val)
+        -- set state
+        e.value = val
+        draw_state()
+
+        -- call the touch callback with state
+        args.callback(e.value)
     end
 
     return e.get()
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/coremap.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/coremap.lua
index 6adb3c9..393575d 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/coremap.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/coremap.lua
@@ -116,15 +116,18 @@ local function core_map(args)
         end
     end
 
-    -- initial draw at base temp
-    draw(300)
-
     -- on state change
     ---@param temperature number temperature in Kelvin
     function e.on_update(temperature)
+        e.value = temperature
         draw(temperature)
     end
 
+    function e.set_value(val) e.on_update(val) end
+
+    -- initial draw at base temp
+    e.on_update(300)
+
     return e.get()
 end
 
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua
index 86e248b..64e2a23 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ local function data(args)
     -- on state change
     ---@param value any new value
     function e.on_update(value)
+        e.value = value
+
         local data_str = util.sprintf(args.format, value)
 
         -- write data
@@ -90,6 +92,8 @@ local function data(args)
         end
     end
 
+    function e.set_value(val) e.on_update(val) end
+
     -- initial value draw
     e.on_update(args.value)
 
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua
index f433b91..4fc8532 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ local function hbar(args)
 
     -- handle data changes
     function e.on_update(fraction)
+        e.value = fraction
+
         -- enforce minimum and maximum
         if fraction < 0 then
             fraction = 0.0
@@ -96,6 +98,18 @@ local function hbar(args)
         end
     end
 
+    ---@param bar_fg_bg cpair new bar colors
+    function e.recolor(bar_fg_bg)
+        bar_bkg = bar_fg_bg.blit_bkg
+        bar_fgd = bar_fg_bg.blit_fgd
+
+        -- re-draw
+        last_num_bars = 0
+        e.on_update(e.value)
+    end
+
+    function e.set_value(val) e.on_update(val) end
+
     -- initialize to 0
     e.on_update(0)
 
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua
index cdbcf9e..728bfea 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua
@@ -55,10 +55,13 @@ local function icon(args)
     ---@param new_state integer indicator state
     function e.on_update(new_state)
         local blit_cmd = state_blit_cmds[new_state]
+        e.value = new_state
         e.window.setCursorPos(1, 1)
         e.window.blit(blit_cmd.text, blit_cmd.fgd, blit_cmd.bkg)
     end
 
+    function e.set_value(val) e.on_update(val) end
+
     -- initial icon draw
     e.on_update(args.value or 1)
 
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua
index 411982d..a1cc85b 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ local function indicator_light(args)
     -- on state change
     ---@param new_state boolean indicator state
     function e.on_update(new_state)
+        e.value = new_state
         e.window.setCursorPos(1, 1)
         if new_state then
             e.window.blit(" \x95", "0" .. args.colors.blit_a, args.colors.blit_a .. e.fg_bg.blit_bkg)
@@ -39,6 +40,8 @@ local function indicator_light(args)
         end
     end
 
+    function e.set_value(val) e.on_update(val) end
+
     -- write label and initial indicator light
     e.on_update(false)
     e.window.write(args.label)
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua
index 5dd39ee..4631a40 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua
@@ -61,10 +61,13 @@ local function state_indicator(args)
     ---@param new_state integer indicator state
     function e.on_update(new_state)
         local blit_cmd = state_blit_cmds[new_state]
+        e.value = new_state
         e.window.setCursorPos(1, 1)
         e.window.blit(blit_cmd.text, blit_cmd.fgd, blit_cmd.bkg)
     end
 
+    function e.set_value(val) e.on_update(val) end
+
     -- initial draw
     e.on_update(args.value or 1)
 
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/trilight.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/trilight.lua
index 9d8731e..435af84 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/trilight.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/trilight.lua
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ local function tristate_indicator_light(args)
     -- on state change
     ---@param new_state integer indicator state
     function e.on_update(new_state)
+        e.value = new_state
         e.window.setCursorPos(1, 1)
         if new_state == 2 then
             e.window.blit(" \x95", "0" .. c2, c2 .. e.fg_bg.blit_bkg)
@@ -50,6 +51,8 @@ local function tristate_indicator_light(args)
         end
     end
 
+    function e.set_value(val) e.on_update(val) end
+
     -- write label and initial indicator light
     e.on_update(0)
     e.window.write(args.label)
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua
index 114fb77..7888033 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ local function vbar(args)
 
     -- handle data changes
     function e.on_update(fraction)
+        e.value = fraction
+
         -- enforce minimum and maximum
         if fraction < 0 then
             fraction = 0.0
@@ -78,6 +80,8 @@ local function vbar(args)
         end
     end
 
+    function e.set_value(val) e.on_update(val) end
+
     return e.get()
 end
 
diff --git a/graphics/elements/textbox.lua b/graphics/elements/textbox.lua
index 45eb92f..c911677 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/textbox.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/textbox.lua
@@ -32,24 +32,36 @@ local function textbox(args)
 
     -- draw textbox
 
-    local text = args.text
-    local lines = util.strwrap(text, e.frame.w)
+    local function display_text(text)
+        e.value = text
 
-    for i = 1, #lines do
-        if i > e.frame.h then break end
+        local lines = util.strwrap(text, e.frame.w)
 
-        local len = string.len(lines[i])
+        for i = 1, #lines do
+            if i > e.frame.h then break end
 
-        -- use cursor position to align this line
-        if alignment == TEXT_ALIGN.CENTER then
-            e.window.setCursorPos(math.floor((e.frame.w - len) / 2) + 1, i)
-        elseif alignment == TEXT_ALIGN.RIGHT then
-            e.window.setCursorPos((e.frame.w - len) + 1, i)
-        else
-            e.window.setCursorPos(1, i)
+            local len = string.len(lines[i])
+
+            -- use cursor position to align this line
+            if alignment == TEXT_ALIGN.CENTER then
+                e.window.setCursorPos(math.floor((e.frame.w - len) / 2) + 1, i)
+            elseif alignment == TEXT_ALIGN.RIGHT then
+                e.window.setCursorPos((e.frame.w - len) + 1, i)
+            else
+                e.window.setCursorPos(1, i)
+            end
+
+            e.window.write(lines[i])
         end
+    end
 
-        e.window.write(lines[i])
+    display_text(args.text)
+
+    -- set the string value and re-draw the text
+    ---@param val string value
+    function e.set_value(val)
+        e.window.clear()
+        display_text(val)
     end
 
     return e.get()