CustomEvent()

The CustomEvent() constructor creates a new CustomEvent.

Note: This feature is available in Web Workers.

Syntax

 event = new CustomEvent(typeArg, customEventInit);

Parameters

typeArg
A DOMString representing the name of the event.
customEventInit Optional
A CustomEventInit dictionary, having the following fields:
  • "detail", optional and defaulting to null, of type any, that is an event-dependent value associated with the event.

The CustomEventInit dictionary also accepts fields from the EventInit dictionary.

Return value

A new CustomEvent object of the specified type, with any other properties configured according to the CustomEventInit dictionary (if one was provided).

Example

// add an appropriate event listener
obj.addEventListener("cat", function(e) { process(e.detail) });

// create and dispatch the event
var event = new CustomEvent("cat", {
  detail: {
    hazcheeseburger: true
  }
});
obj.dispatchEvent(event);

Additional examples can be found at Creating and triggering events.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
DOM
The definition of 'CustomEvent()' in that specification.
Living Standard Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
CustomEvent() constructorChrome Full support 15Edge Full support ≤18Firefox Full support 11IE No support NoOpera Full support 11.6Safari Full support 6.1WebView Android Full support ≤37Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 14Opera Android Full support 12Safari iOS Full support 6.1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support

Polyfill

You can polyfill the CustomEvent() constructor functionality in Internet Explorer 9 and higher with the following code:

(function () {

  if ( typeof window.CustomEvent === "function" ) return false;

  function CustomEvent ( event, params ) {
    params = params || { bubbles: false, cancelable: false, detail: null };
    var evt = document.createEvent( 'CustomEvent' );
    evt.initCustomEvent( event, params.bubbles, params.cancelable, params.detail );
    return evt;
   }

  window.CustomEvent = CustomEvent;
})();

Internet Explorer >= 9 adds a CustomEvent object to the window, but with correct implementations, this is a function.

See also