Document: selectstart event

The selectstart event of the Selection API is fired when a user starts a new selection.

If the event is canceled, the selection is not changed.

Bubbles Yes
Cancelable Yes
Interface Event
Event handler property onselectstart

Examples

// addEventListener version
document.addEventListener('selectstart', () => {
  console.log('Selection started');
});

// onselectstart version
document.onselectstart = () => {
  console.log('Selection changed.');
};

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Selection API
The definition of 'selectstart' in that specification.		 Working Draft Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
selectstart event
Experimental
Chrome Full support YesEdge Full support 12Firefox Full support 52
Full support 52
Full support 43
Disabled
Disabled From version 43: this feature is behind the dom.select_events.enabled preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
IE Full support YesOpera ? Safari Full support 1.3WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 52
Full support 52
Full support 43
Disabled
Disabled From version 43: this feature is behind the dom.select_events.enabled preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
Opera Android ? Safari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support
Compatibility unknown
Compatibility unknown
Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.
Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.
User must explicitly enable this feature.
User must explicitly enable this feature.

See also