Selection.containsNode()

The Selection.containsNode() method indicates whether a specfied node is part of the selection.

Syntax

sel.containsNode(node, partialContainment)

Parameters

node

The node that is being looked for in the selection.

partialContainment Optional

When true, containsNode() returns true when a part of the node is part of the selection. When false, containsNode() only returns true when the entire node is part of the selection. If not specified, the default value false is used.

Example

Check for selection

This snippet checks whether anything inside the body element is selected.

console.log(window.getSelection().containsNode(document.body, true));

Find the hidden word

In this example, a message appears when you select the secret word. It uses addEventListener() to check for selectionchange events.

HTML

<p>Can you find the secret word?</p>
<p>Hmm, where <span id="secret" style="color:transparent">SECRET</span> could it be?</p>
<p id="win" hidden>You found it!</p>

JavaScript

const secret = document.getElementById('secret');
const win = document.getElementById('win');

// Listen for selection changes
document.addEventListener('selectionchange', () => {
  const selection = window.getSelection();
  const found = selection.containsNode(secret);

  win.toggleAttribute('hidden', !found);
});

Result

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• Selection, the interface it belongs to.