path: root/files/id/web/api/document/index.html

---
title: Document
slug: Web/API/Document
tags:
  - API
  - DOM
  - Interface
  - NeedsTranslation
  - Reference
  - TopicStub
translation_of: Web/API/Document
---
<div>{{APIRef}}</div>

<div> </div>

<p>The <strong><code>Document</code></strong> interface represents any web page loaded in the browser and serves as an entry point into the web page's content, which is the <a href="/en-US/docs/Using_the_W3C_DOM_Level_1_Core" title="Using_the_W3C_DOM_Level_1_Core">DOM tree</a>. The DOM tree includes elements such as {{HTMLElement("body")}} and {{HTMLElement("table")}}, among <a href="/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Element">many others</a>. It provides functionality which is global to the document, such as obtaining the page's URL and creating new elements in the document.</p>

<p>{{inheritanceDiagram}}</p>

<p>The <code>Document</code> interface describes the common properties and methods for any kind of document. Depending on the document's type (e.g. <a href="/en-US/docs/HTML" title="HTML">HTML</a>, <a href="/en-US/docs/XML" title="XML">XML</a>, SVG, …), a larger API is available: HTML documents, served with the <code>text/html</code> content type, also implement the {{domxref("HTMLDocument")}} interface, wherease SVG documents implement the {{domxref("SVGDocument")}} interface.</p>

<h2 id="Properties" name="Properties">Properties</h2>

<p><em>This interface also inherits from the {{domxref("Node")}} and {{domxref("EventTarget")}} interfaces.</em></p>

<dl>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.all")}} {{Deprecated_inline}} {{non-standard_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Provides access to all elements with an <code>id</code>. This is a legacy, non-standard interface and you should use the {{domxref("document.getElementById()")}} method instead.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.async")}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Used with {{domxref("Document.load")}} to indicate an asynchronous request.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.characterSet")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the character set being used by the document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.charset")}} {{readonlyinline}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Alias of {{domxref("Document.characterSet")}}. Use this property instead.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.compatMode")}} {{readonlyinline}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Indicates whether the document is rendered in <em>quirks</em> or <em>strict</em> mode.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.contentType")}} {{readonlyinline}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the Content-Type from the MIME Header of the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.doctype")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the Document Type Definition (DTD) of the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.documentElement")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the {{domxref("Element")}} that is a direct child of the document. For HTML documents, this is normally the HTML element.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.documentURI")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the document location as a string.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.domConfig")}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Should return a {{domxref("DOMConfiguration")}} object.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.fullscreen")}} {{obsolete_inline}}</dt>
 <dd><code>true</code> when the document is in {{domxref("Using_full-screen_mode","full-screen mode")}}.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.hidden")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>…</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.implementation")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the DOM implementation associated with the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.inputEncoding")}} {{readonlyinline}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Alias of {{domxref("Document.characterSet")}}. Use this property instead.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.lastStyleSheetSet")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the name of the style sheet set that was last enabled. Has the value <code>null</code> until the style sheet is changed by setting the value of {{domxref("document.selectedStyleSheetSet","selectedStyleSheetSet")}}.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.mozSyntheticDocument")}} {{non-standard_inline}} {{gecko_minversion_inline("8.0")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a {{jsxref("Boolean")}} that is <code>true</code> only if this document is synthetic, such as a standalone image, video, audio file, or the like.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.mozFullScreenElement")}} {{readonlyinline}} {{non-standard_inline}} {{gecko_minversion_inline("9.0")}}</dt>
 <dd>The element that's currently in full screen mode for this document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.mozFullScreenEnabled")}} {{readonlyinline}} {{non-standard_inline}} {{gecko_minversion_inline("9.0")}}</dt>
 <dd><code>true</code> if calling {{domxref("Element.mozRequestFullscreen()")}} would succeed in the curent document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.pointerLockElement")}} {{readonlyinline}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the element set as the target for mouse events while the pointer is locked. <code>null</code> if lock is pending, pointer is unlocked, or if the target is in another document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.preferredStyleSheetSet")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the preferred style sheet set as specified by the page author.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.scrollingElement")}} {{experimental_inline}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a reference to the {{domxref("Element")}} that scrolls the document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.selectedStyleSheetSet")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns which style sheet set is currently in use.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.styleSheets")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of the style sheet objects on the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.styleSheetSets")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of the style sheet sets available on the document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.timeline")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>…</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.undoManager")}} {{readonlyinline}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>…</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.URL")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns ...</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.visibilityState")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>…</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.xmlEncoding")}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the encoding as determined by the XML declaration.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.xmlStandalone")}} {{obsolete_inline("10.0")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns <code>true</code> if the XML declaration specifies the document to be standalone (<em>e.g.,</em> An external part of the DTD affects the document's content), else <code>false</code>.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.xmlVersion")}} {{obsolete_inline("10.0")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the version number as specified in the XML declaration or <code>"1.0"</code> if the declaration is absent.</dd>
</dl>

<p>The <code>Document</code> interface is extended with the {{domxref("ParentNode")}} interface:</p>

<p>{{page("/en-US/docs/Web/API/ParentNode","Properties")}}</p>

<h3 id="Extension_for_HTML_document">Extension for HTML document</h3>

<p><em>The <code>Document</code> interface for HTML documents inherits from the {{domxref("HTMLDocument")}} interface or, since HTML5,  is extended for such documents.</em></p>

<dl>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.activeElement")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the currently focused element.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.alinkColor")}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns or sets the color of active links in the document body.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.anchors")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of all of the anchors in the document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.applets")}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns an ordered list of the applets within a document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.bgColor")}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Gets/sets the background color of the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.body")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the {{HTMLElement("body")}} element of the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.cookie")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a semicolon-separated list of the cookies for that document or sets a single cookie.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.defaultView")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a reference to the window object.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.designMode")}}</dt>
 <dd>Gets/sets the ability to edit the whole document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.dir")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Gets/sets directionality (rtl/ltr) of the document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.domain")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the domain of the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.embeds")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of the embedded {{HTMLElement('embed')}} elements within the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.fgColor")}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Gets/sets the foreground color, or text color, of the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.forms")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of the {{HTMLElement("form")}} elements within the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.head")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the {{HTMLElement("head")}} element of the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.height")}} {{non-standard_inline}} {{obsolete_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Gets/sets the height of the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.images")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of the images in the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.lastModified")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the date on which the document was last modified.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.linkColor")}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Gets/sets the color of hyperlinks in the document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.links")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of all the hyperlinks in the document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.location")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the URI of the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.plugins")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of the available plugins.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.readyState")}} {{readonlyinline}}  {{gecko_minversion_inline("1.9.2")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns loading status of the document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.referrer")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the URI of the page that linked to this page.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.scripts")}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns all the {{HTMLElement("script")}} elements on the document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.title")}}</dt>
 <dd>Sets or gets title of the current document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.URL")}} {{readonlyInline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns<span style="line-height: 19.0909080505371px;"> the document location as a string.</span></dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.vlinkColor")}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Gets/sets the color of visited hyperlinks.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.width")}} {{non-standard_inline}} {{obsolete_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the width of the current document.</dd>
</dl>

<h3 id="Event_handlers" name="Event_handlers">Event handlers</h3>

<dl>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onabort")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("abort")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.onafterscriptexecute")}} {{non-standard_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Represents the event handling code for the {{event("afterscriptexecute")}} event.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.onbeforescriptexecute")}} {{non-standard_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Represents the event handling code for the {{event("beforescriptexecute")}} event.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onblur")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("blur")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.oncancel")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("cancel")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.oncanplay")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("canplay")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.oncanplaythrough")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("canplaythrough")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onchange")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("change")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onclick")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("click")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onclose")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("close")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.oncontextmenu")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("contextmenu")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.oncopy")}} {{non-standard_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Represents the event handling code for the {{event("copy")}} event.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.oncuechange")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("cuechange")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.oncut")}} {{non-standard_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Represents the event handling code for the {{event("cut")}} event.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.ondblclick")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("dblclick")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.ondrag")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("drag")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.ondragend")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("dragend")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.ondragenter")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("dragenter")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.ondragexit")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("dragexit")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.ondragleave")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("dragleave")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.ondragover")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("dragover")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.ondragstart")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("dragstart")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.ondrop")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("drop")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.ondurationchange")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("durationchange")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onemptied")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("emptied")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onended")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("ended")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onerror")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("OnErrorEventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("error")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onfocus")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("focus")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.onfullscreenchange")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("fullscreenchange")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.onfullscreenerror")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("fullscreenerror")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.oninput")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("input")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.oninvalid")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("invalid")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onkeydown")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("keydown")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onkeypress")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("keypress")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onkeyup")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("keyup")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onload")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("load")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onloadeddata")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("loadeddata")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onloadedmetadata")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("loadedmetadata")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onloadstart")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("loadstart")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onmousedown")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("mousedown")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onmouseenter")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("mouseenter")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onmouseleave")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("mouseleave")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onmousemove")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("mousemove")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onmouseout")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("mouseout")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onmouseover")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("mouseover")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onmouseup")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("mouseup")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onmousewheel")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("mousewheel")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onpause")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("pause")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.onpaste")}} {{non-standard_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Represents the event handling code for the {{event("paste")}} event.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onplay")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("play")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onplaying")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("playing")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onpointerdown")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("pointerdown")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.onpointerlockchange")}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Represents the event handling code for the {{event("pointerlockchange")}} event.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.onpointerlockerror")}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Represetnts the event handling code for the {{event("pointerlockerror")}} event.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onpointermove")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("pointermove")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onpointerup")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("pointerup")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onpointercancel")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("pointercancel")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onpointerover")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("pointerover")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onpointerout")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("pointerout")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onpointerenter")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("pointerevent")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onpointerleave")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("pointerleave")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onpointerlockchange")}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("pointerlockchange")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onpointerlockerror")}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("pointerlockerror")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onprogress")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("progress")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onratechange")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("ratechange")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.onreadystatechange")}} {{gecko_minversion_inline("1.9.2")}}</dt>
 <dd>Represents the event handling code for the {{event("readystatechange")}} event.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onreset")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("reset")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onscroll")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("scroll")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onseeked")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("seeked")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onseeking")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("seeking")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onselect")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("select")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onselectstart")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("selectstart")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.onselectionchange")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("selectionchange")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onshow")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("show")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onsort")}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("sort")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onstalled")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("stalled")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onsubmit")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("submit")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onsuspend")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("suspend")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.ontimeupdate")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("timeupdate")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onvolumechange")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("volumechange")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("GlobalEventHandlers.onwaiting")}}</dt>
 <dd>Is an {{domxref("EventHandler")}} representing the code to be called when the {{event("waiting")}} event is raised.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.onwheel")}} {{non-standard_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Represents the event handling code for the {{event("wheel")}} event.</dd>
</dl>

<h2 id="Methods" name="Methods">Methods</h2>

<p><em>This interface also inherits from the {{domxref("Node")}} and {{domxref("EventTarget")}} interfaces.</em></p>

<dl>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.adoptNode()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Adopt node from an external document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.captureEvents()")}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>See {{domxref("Window.captureEvents")}}.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.caretPositionFromPoint()")}}{{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Gets the {{domxref("CaretPosition")}} at or near the specified coordinates.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.caretRangeFromPoint()")}}{{non-standard_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Gets a {{Domxref("Range")}} object for the document fragment under the specified coordinates.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createAttribute()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a new {{domxref("Attr")}} object and returns it.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createAttributeNS()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a new attribute node in a given namespace and returns it.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createCDATASection()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a new CDATA node and returns it.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createComment()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a new comment node and returns it.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createDocumentFragment()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a new document fragment.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createElement()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a new element with the given tag name.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createElementNS()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a new element with the given tag name and namespace URI.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createEntityReference()")}} {{obsolete_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a new entity reference object and returns it.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createEvent()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates an event object.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createNodeIterator()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a {{domxref("NodeIterator")}} object.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createProcessingInstruction()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a new {{domxref("ProcessingInstruction")}} object.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createRange()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a {{domxref("Range")}} object.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createTextNode()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a text node.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createTouch()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a {{domxref("Touch")}} object.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createTouchList()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a {{domxref("TouchList")}} object.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.createTreeWalker()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates a {{domxref("TreeWalker")}} object.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.elementFromPoint()")}}{{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the topmost element at the specified coordinates. </dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.elementsFromPoint()")}}{{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns an array of all elements at the specified coordinates.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.enableStyleSheetsForSet()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Enables the style sheets for the specified style sheet set.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.exitPointerLock()")}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Release the pointer lock.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.getAnimations()")}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns an array of all {{domxref("Animation")}} objects currently in effect whose target elements are descendants of the <code>document</code>.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.getElementsByClassName()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of elements with the given class name.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.getElementsByTagName()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of elements with the given tag name.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.getElementsByTagNameNS()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of elements with the given tag name and namespace.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.importNode()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a clone of a node from an external document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.normalizeDocument()")}} {{obsolete_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Replaces entities, normalizes text nodes, etc.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.registerElement()")}} {{experimental_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Registers a web component.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.releaseCapture()")}} {{non-standard_inline}} {{gecko_minversion_inline("2.0")}}</dt>
 <dd>Releases the current mouse capture if it's on an element in this document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.releaseEvents()")}} {{non-standard_inline}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>See {{domxref("Window.releaseEvents()")}}.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.routeEvent()")}} {{non-standard_inline}} {{obsolete_inline(24)}}</dt>
 <dd>See {{domxref("Window.routeEvent()")}}.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("Document.mozSetImageElement()")}} {{non-standard_inline}} {{gecko_minversion_inline("2.0")}}</dt>
 <dd>Allows you to change the element being used as the background image for a specified element ID.</dd>
</dl>

<p>The <code>Document</code> interface is extended with the {{domxref("ParentNode")}} interface:</p>

<dl>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.getElementById","document.getElementById(String id)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns an object reference to the identified element.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.querySelector","document.querySelector(String selector)")}} {{gecko_minversion_inline("1.9.1")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the first Element node within the document, in document order, that matches the specified selectors.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.querySelectorAll","document.querySelectorAll(String selector)")}} {{gecko_minversion_inline("1.9.1")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of all the Element nodes within the document that match the specified selectors.</dd>
</dl>

<p>The <code>Document</code> interface is extended with the {{domxref("XPathEvaluator")}} interface:</p>

<dl>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.createExpression","document.createExpression(String expression, XPathNSResolver resolver)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Compiles an <code><a href="/en-US/docs/XPathExpression" title="XPathExpression">XPathExpression</a></code> which can then be used for (repeated) evaluations.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.createNSResolver","document.createNSResolver(Node resolver)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Creates an {{domxref("XPathNSResolver")}} object.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.evaluate","document.evaluate(String expression, Node contextNode, XPathNSResolver resolver, Number type, Object result)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Evaluates an XPath expression.</dd>
</dl>

<h3 id="Extension_for_HTML_documents">Extension for HTML documents</h3>

<p>The <code>Document</code> interface for HTML documents inherit from the {{domxref("HTMLDocument")}} interface or, since HTML5,  is extended for such documents:</p>

<dl>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.clear()")}} {{non-standard_inline}} {{Deprecated_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>In majority of modern browsers, including recent versions of Firefox and Internet Explorer, this method does nothing.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.close()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Closes a document stream for writing.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.execCommand","document.execCommand(String command[, Boolean showUI[, String value]])")}}</dt>
 <dd>On an editable document, executes a formating command.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.getElementsByName","document.getElementsByName(String name)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a list of elements with the given name.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.getSelection()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns a {{domxref("Selection")}} object related to text selected in the document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.hasFocus()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns <code>true</code> if the focus is currently located anywhere inside the specified document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.open()")}}</dt>
 <dd>Opens a document stream for writing.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.queryCommandEnabled","document.queryCommandEnabled(String command)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns true if the formating command can be executed on the current range.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.queryCommandIndeterm","document.queryCommandIndeterm(String command)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns true if the formating command is in an indeterminate state on the current range.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.queryCommandState","document.queryCommandState(String command)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns true if the formating command has been executed on the current range.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.queryCommandSupported","document.queryCommandSupported(String command)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns true if the formating command is supported on the current range.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.queryCommandValue","document.queryCommandValue(String command)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the current value of the current range for a formating command.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.write","document.write(String text)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Writes text in a document.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.writeln","document.writeln(String text)")}}</dt>
 <dd>Writes a line of text in a document.</dd>
</dl>

<h2 id="Specifications">Specifications</h2>

<table class="standard-table">
 <tbody>
  <tr>
   <th scope="col">Specification</th>
   <th scope="col">Status</th>
   <th scope="col">Comment</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
   <td>{{SpecName('Selection API', '', 'Extend Document and GlobalEventHandlers')}}</td>
   <td>{{Spec2('Selection API')}}</td>
   <td>Adds <code>onselectstart</code> and <code>onselectionchange</code>.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
   <td>{{SpecName('DOM1','#i-Document','Document')}}</td>
   <td>{{Spec2('DOM1')}}</td>
   <td>Initial definition for the interface</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
   <td>{{SpecName('DOM2 Core','#i-Document','Document')}}</td>
   <td>{{Spec2('DOM2 Core')}}</td>
   <td>Supersede DOM 1</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
   <td>{{SpecName('DOM3 Core','#i-Document','Document')}}</td>
   <td>{{Spec2('DOM3 Core')}}</td>
   <td>Supersede DOM 2</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
   <td>{{SpecName('DOM WHATWG','#interface-document','Document')}}</td>
   <td>{{Spec2('DOM WHATWG')}}</td>
   <td>Intend to supersede DOM 3</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
   <td>{{SpecName('HTML WHATWG','dom.html#the-document-object','Document')}}</td>
   <td>{{Spec2('HTML WHATWG')}}</td>
   <td>Turn the {{domxref("HTMLDocument")}} interface into a <code>Document</code> extension.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
   <td>{{SpecName('DOM3 XPath','xpath.html#XPathEvaluator','XPathEvaluator')}}</td>
   <td>{{Spec2('DOM3 XPath')}}</td>
   <td>Define the {{domxref("XPathEvaluator")}} interface which extend document.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
   <td>{{SpecName('HTML Editing','#dom-document-getselection','Document')}}</td>
   <td>{{Spec2('HTML Editing')}}</td>
   <td>Extend the <code>Document</code> interface</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
   <td>{{SpecName('CSSOM View','#extensions-to-the-document-interface','Document')}}</td>
   <td>{{Spec2('CSSOM View')}}</td>
   <td>Extend the <code>Document</code> interface</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
   <td>{{SpecName('CSSOM','#extensions-to-the-document-interface','Document')}}</td>
   <td>{{Spec2('CSSOM')}}</td>
   <td>Extend the <code>Document</code> interface</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
   <td>{{SpecName('Pointer Lock','#extensions-to-the-document-interface','Document')}}</td>
   <td>{{Spec2('Pointer Lock')}}</td>
   <td>Extend the <code>Document</code> interface</td>
  </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

<h2 id="Browser_compatibility_notes">Browser compatibility notes</h2>

<h3 id="Firefox_notes">Firefox notes</h3>

<p>Mozilla defines a set of non-standard properties made only for XUL content:</p>

<dl>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.currentScript")}} {{non-standard_inline}} {{gecko_minversion_inline("2.0")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the {{HTMLElement("script")}} element that is currently executing.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.documentURIObject")}} {{gecko_minversion_inline("1.9")}}</dt>
 <dd>(<strong>Mozilla add-ons only!</strong>) Returns the {{Interface("nsIURI")}} object representing the URI of the document. This property only has special meaning in privileged JavaScript code (with UniversalXPConnect privileges).</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.popupNode")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the node upon which a popup was invoked.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.tooltipNode")}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns the node which is the target of the current tooltip.</dd>
</dl>

<p>Mozilla also define some non-standard methods:</p>

<dl>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.execCommandShowHelp")}} {{obsolete_inline("14.0")}}</dt>
 <dd>This method never did anything and always threw an exception, so it was removed in Gecko 14.0 {{geckoRelease("14.0")}}.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.getBoxObjectFor")}} {{obsolete_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Use the {{domxref("Element.getBoundingClientRect()")}} method instead.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.loadOverlay")}} {{Fx_minversion_inline("1.5")}}</dt>
 <dd>Loads a <a href="/en-US/docs/XUL_Overlays" title="XUL_Overlays">XUL overlay</a> dynamically. This only works in XUL documents.</dd>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.queryCommandText")}} {{obsolete_inline("14.0")}}</dt>
 <dd>This method never did anything but throw an exception, and was removed in Gecko 14.0 {{geckoRelease("14.0")}}.</dd>
</dl>

<h3 id="Internet_Explorer_notes">Internet Explorer notes</h3>

<p>Microsoft defines some non-standard properties:</p>

<dl>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.fileSize")}}* {{non-standard_inline}} {{obsolete_inline}}</dt>
 <dd>Returns size in bytes of the document. Starting with Internet Explorer 11, that property is no longer supported. See <a href="http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms533752%28v=VS.85%29.aspx" title="http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms533752%28v=VS.85%29.aspx">MSDN</a>.</dd>
 <dt><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5;">Internet Explorer does not support all methods from the <code>Node</code> interface in the <code>Document</code> interface:</span></dt>
</dl>

<dl>
 <dt>{{domxref("document.contains")}}</dt>
 <dd>As a work-around, <code>document.body.contains()</code> can be used.</dd>
</dl>

<p> </p>