Web/API/CustomEvent/initCustomEvent

The CustomEvent.initCustomEvent() method initializes a CustomEvent object. If the event has already been dispatched, this method does nothing.

Events initialized in this way must have been created with the Document.createEvent() method. This method must be called to set the event before it is dispatched, using EventTarget.dispatchEvent(). Once dispatched, it doesn't do anything anymore.

Do not use this method anymore, as it is deprecated.

Note: Rather than using the feature, instead use specific event constructors, like CustomEvent(). The page on Creating and triggering events gives more information about the way to use those.

Syntax

event.initCustomEvent(type, canBubble, cancelable, detail);

Parameters

type: Is a DOMString containing the name of the event.
canBubble: Is a Boolean indicating whether the event bubbles up through the DOM or not.
cancelable: Is a Boolean indicating whether the event is cancelable.
detail: The data passed when initializing the event.

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
DOMThe definition of 'CustomEvent' in that specification.	Living Standard	Initial definition, but already deprecated in favor of the use of a constructor, `CustomEvent()`

Browser compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub

	Desktop						Mobile
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Firefox for Android	Opera for Android	Safari on iOS	Samsung Internet
`initCustomEvent` Deprecated'	Chrome Full support Yes Full support Yes Full support 59 Notes' Notes' `canBubble`, `cancelable`, and `detail` are optional parameters defaulting to `false`, `false`, and `null` respectively.	Edge Full support 14	Firefox Full support 6	IE Full support 9	Opera Full support 11	Safari Full support 5.1	WebView Android Full support Yes Full support Yes Full support 59 Notes' Notes' `canBubble`, `cancelable`, and `detail` are optional parameters defaulting to `false`, `false`, and `null` respectively.	Chrome Android Full support Yes Full support Yes Full support 59 Notes' Notes' `canBubble`, `cancelable`, and `detail` are optional parameters defaulting to `false`, `false`, and `null` respectively.	Firefox Android Full support 6	Opera Android Full support Yes	Safari iOS Full support Yes	Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes Full support Yes Full support 7.0 Notes' Notes' `canBubble`, `cancelable`, and `detail` are optional parameters defaulting to `false`, `false`, and `null` respectively.

Legend

Full support: Full support
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.': Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.
See implementation notes.': See implementation notes.