String.prototype.at()

The at() method takes an integer value and returns a new String consisting of the single UTF-16 code unit located at the specified offset. This method allows for positive and negative integers. Negative integers count back from the last string character.

Syntax

at(index)

Parameters

index

The index (position) of the string character to be returned. Supports relative indexing from the end of the string when passed a negative index; i.e. if a negative number is used, the character returned will be found by counting back from the end of the string.

Return value

A String consisting of the single UTF-16 code unit located at the specified position. Returns undefined if the given index can not be found.

Examples

Return the last character of a string

The following example provides a function which returns the last character found in a specified string.

// A function which returns the last character of a given string
function returnLast(arr) {
  return arr.at(-1);
}

let invoiceRef = 'myinvoice01';

console.log( returnLast(invoiceRef) );
// Logs: '1'

invoiceRef = 'myinvoice02';

console.log( returnLast(invoiceRef) );
// Logs: '2'

Comparing methods

Here we compare different ways to select the penultimate (last but one) character of a String. Whilst all below methods are valid, it highlights the succinctness and readability of the at() method.

const myString = 'Every green bus drives fast.';

// Using length property and charAt() method
const lengthWay = myString.charAt(myString.length-2);
console.log(lengthWay); // Logs: 't'

// Using slice() method
const sliceWay = myString.slice(-2, -1);
console.log(sliceWay); // Logs: 't'

// Using at() method
const atWay = myString.at(-2);
console.log(atWay); // Logs: 't'

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• A polyfill of String.prototype.at is available in core-js
• A polyfill for the at() method.
• String.prototype.indexOf()
• String.prototype.lastIndexOf()
• String.prototype.charCodeAt()
• String.prototype.codePointAt()
• String.prototype.split()