Element.setAttributeNodeNS()

setAttributeNodeNS adds a new namespaced attribute node to an element.

Syntax

replacedAttr = element.setAttributeNodeNS(attributeNode)
  • replacedAttr is the replaced attribute node, if any, returned by this function.
  • attributeNode is an Attr node.

Example

// <div id="one" xmlns:myNS="http://www.mozilla.org/ns/specialspace"
//            myNS:special-align="utterleft">one</div>
// <div id="two">two</div>


var myns = "http://www.mozilla.org/ns/specialspace";
var d1 = document.getElementById("one");
var d2 = document.getElementById("two");
var a = d1.getAttributeNodeNS(myns, "special-align");
d2.setAttributeNodeNS(a.cloneNode(true));
alert(d2.attributes[1].value) // returns: `utterleft'

Notes

If the specified attribute already exists on the element, then that attribute is replaced with the new one and the replaced one is returned.

Note that if you try to set without cloning the node, Mozilla gives an NS_ERROR_DOM_INUSE_ATTRIBUTE_ERR "Attribute already in use" error, as the DOM requires cloning for Attr to be reused (unlike other Nodes which can be moved).

DOM methods dealing with element's attributes:

Not namespace-aware, most commonly used methods Namespace-aware variants (DOM Level 2) DOM Level 1 methods for dealing with Attr nodes directly (seldom used) DOM Level 2 namespace-aware methods for dealing with Attr nodes directly (seldom used)
setAttribute (DOM 1) setAttributeNS setAttributeNode setAttributeNodeNS
getAttribute (DOM 1) getAttributeNS getAttributeNode getAttributeNodeNS
hasAttribute (DOM 2) hasAttributeNS - -
removeAttribute (DOM 1) removeAttributeNS removeAttributeNode -

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
DOM
The definition of 'document.setAttributeNodeNS' in that specification.
Living Standard

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
setAttributeNodeNSChrome Full support YesEdge Full support 12
Notes
Full support 12
Notes
Notes Returns a ClientRectList with ClientRect objects (which do not contain x and y properties) instead of DOMRect objects.
Firefox Full support YesIE Full support Yes
Notes
Full support Yes
Notes
Notes Returns a ClientRectList with ClientRect objects (which do not contain x and y properties) instead of DOMRect objects.
Opera Full support YesSafari Full support 6WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support YesOpera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.