14 May 2023

When developing a webpage or web application, it can be useful to know which element is currently in focus. This information can be used to provide visual feedback or to perform actions based on the user's current focus. In JavaScript, you can use the document.activeElement property to get the currently focused element on the page. This property returns a reference to the element that currently has focus, which can be any focusable element on the page, such as an input field, a button, or a link.

Additionally, you can use the document.activeElement property to ensure that your website is keyboard accessible. By default, only a limited number of HTML elements are focusable using the keyboard. By explicitly setting the tabindex attribute on other elements, you can make them focusable as well. Then, by using the document.activeElement property, you can ensure that keyboard users can navigate to and interact with all of the elements on your page.

Finally, the document.activeElement property can be used to improve the accessibility of forms on your website. By setting the autofocus attribute on the first input field of a form, you can automatically give focus to that field when the page loads. This can make it easier for users to start filling out the form, particularly if they are using a screen reader.

Overall, by using the document.activeElement property, you can make your website more accessible and user-friendly for all users, including those who rely on assistive technologies.

Source code viewer
  1. const focusedElement = document.activeElement;
Programming Language: ECMAScript