XPathExpression

This interface is a compiled XPath expression that can be evaluated on a document or specific node to return information from its DOM tree. This is useful when an expression will be reused in an application, because it is just compiled once and all namespace prefixes which occur within the expression are preresolved.

Objects of this type are created by calling XPathEvaluator.createExpression().

Methods

XPathExpression.evaluate()
Evaluates the XPath expression on the given node or document.

Example

The following example shows the use of the XPathExpression interface.

HTML

<div>XPath example</div>
<div>Number of &lt;div&gt;s: <output></output></div>

JavaScript

var xpath = "//div";
var evaluator = new XPathEvaluator();
var expression = evaluator.createExpression(xpath);
var result = expression.evaluate(document, XPathResult.ORDERED_NODE_SNAPSHOT_TYPE);
document.querySelector("output").textContent = result.snapshotLength;

Result

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Document Object Model (DOM) Level 3 XPath Specification
The definition of 'XPathExpression' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
XPathExpressionChrome Full support YesEdge Full support ≤18Firefox Full support YesIE ? Opera Full support YesSafari ? WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support YesOpera Android Full support YesSafari iOS ? Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes
evaluateChrome Full support YesEdge Full support 12Firefox Full support YesIE ? Opera Full support YesSafari ? WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support YesOpera Android Full support YesSafari iOS ? Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support
Compatibility unknown
Compatibility unknown

See also