Range.selectNodeContents()

The Range.selectNodeContents() method sets the Range to contain the contents of a Node.

The parent Node of the start and end of the Range will be the reference node. The startOffset is 0, and the endOffset is the number of child Nodes or number of characters contained in the reference node.

Syntax

range.selectNodeContents(referenceNode);

Parameters

referenceNode
The Node whose contents will be selected within a Range.

Example

range = document.createRange();
referenceNode = document.getElementsByTagName("div")[0];
range.selectNodeContents(referenceNode);

Live sample

This example lets the user select and deselect a paragraph with buttons. Document.createRange(), Range.selectNodeContents(), and Selection.addRange() are used to select the content. Window.getSelection() and Selection.removeAllRanges() are used to deselect it.

HTML

<p id="p"><b>Use the buttons below</b> to select or deselect the contents of this paragraph.</p>
<button id="select-button">Select paragraph</button>
<button id="deselect-button">Deselect paragraph</button>

JavaScript

const p = document.getElementById('p');
const selectButton = document.getElementById('select-button');
const deselectButton = document.getElementById('deselect-button');

selectButton.addEventListener('click', e => {
  // Clear any current selection
  const selection = window.getSelection();
  selection.removeAllRanges();

  // Select paragraph
  const range = document.createRange();
  range.selectNodeContents(p);
  selection.addRange(range);
});

deselectButton.addEventListener('click', e => {
  const selection = window.getSelection();
  selection.removeAllRanges();
});

Result

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
DOM
The definition of 'Range.selectNodeContents()' in that specification.
Living Standard No change.
Document Object Model (DOM) Level 2 Traversal and Range Specification
The definition of 'Range.selectNodeContents()' in that specification.
Obsolete Initial specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
selectNodeContentsChrome Full support YesEdge Full support 12Firefox Full support 4IE Full support 9Opera Full support 9Safari Full support YesWebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support

See also