DocumentFragment.querySelector()

The DocumentFragment.querySelector() method returns the first element, or null if no matches are found, within the DocumentFragment (using depth-first pre-order traversal of the document's nodes) that matches the specified group of selectors.

If the selector matches an ID and this ID is erroneously used several times in the document, it returns the first matching element.

If the selectors specified in parameter are invalid a DOMException with a SYNTAX_ERR value is raised.

Syntax

element = documentfragment.querySelector(selectors);

Parameters

selectors
Is a DOMString containing one or more CSS selectors separated by commas.

Examples

Basic example

In this basic example, the first element in the DocumentFragment with the class "myclass" is returned:

var el = documentfragment.querySelector(".myclass");

CSS syntax and the method's argument

The string argument pass to querySelector must follow the CSS syntax. To match ID or selectors that do not follow the CSS syntax (by using semicolon or space inappropriately for example), it's mandatory to escape the wrong character with a double back slash:

<div id="foo\bar"></div>
<div id="foo:bar"></div>

<script>
document.querySelector('#foo\bar')    // Does not match anything
document.querySelector('#foo\\\\bar') // Match the first div
document.querySelector('#foo:bar')     // Does not match anything
document.querySelector('#foo\\:bar')   // Match the second div
</script>

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Selectors API Level 2
The definition of 'DocumentFragment.querySelector' in that specification.
Obsolete No change from Selectors API Level 1
Selectors API Level 1
The definition of 'DocumentFragment.querySelector' in that specification.
Obsolete Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
querySelectorChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 3.5IE Full support 9Opera Full support 10Safari Full support 3.2WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 10.1Safari iOS Full support 3.2Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support

See also