Web/API/Event/initEvent

DeprecatedThis feature is no longer recommended. Though some browsers might still support it, it may have already been removed from the relevant web standards, may be in the process of being dropped, or may only be kept for compatibility purposes. Avoid using it, and update existing code if possible; see the compatibility table at the bottom of this page to guide your decision. Be aware that this feature may cease to work at any time.

The Event.initEvent() method is used to initialize the value of an event created using Document.createEvent().

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.

Instead use specific event constructors, like Event(). The page on Creating and triggering events gives more information about the way to use these.

Syntax

event.initEvent(type, bubbles, cancelable);

type: Is a DOMString defining the type of event.
bubbles: Is a Boolean deciding whether the event should bubble up through the event chain or not. Once set, the read-only property Event.bubbles will give its value.
cancelable: Is a Boolean defining whether the event can be canceled. Once set, the read-only property Event.cancelable will give its value.

Example

// Create the event.
var event = document.createEvent('Event');

// Create a click event that bubbles up and
// cannot be canceled 
event.initEvent('click', true, false);

// Listen for the event.
elem.addEventListener('click', function (e) {
  // e.target matches elem
}, false);

elem.dispatchEvent(event);

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
DOMThe definition of 'Event.initEvent()' in that specification.	Living Standard	From Document Object Model (DOM) Level 2 Events Specification, deprecated it, superseded by event constructors.
Document Object Model (DOM) Level 2 Events SpecificationThe definition of 'Event.initEvent()' in that specification.	Obsolete	Initial definition.

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
`initEvent` Deprecated'	Chrome Full support Yes	Edge Full support 12	Firefox Full support 17 Full support 17 No support ? — 17 Notes' Notes' Before Firefox 17, a call to this method after the dispatching of the event raised an exception instead of doing nothing.	IE Full support Yes	Opera Full support Yes	Safari Full support Yes	WebView Android Full support Yes	Chrome Android Full support Yes	Firefox Android Full support 17 Full support 17 No support ? — 17 Notes' Notes' Before Firefox 17, a call to this method after the dispatching of the event raised an exception instead of doing nothing.	Opera Android Full support Yes	Safari iOS Full support Yes	Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes

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.