• 0

[Javascript] How to simulate a click on Firefox?


Question

Hello,

I need to click a button using Javascript. I searched the Internets and I found the following code:

	<script type="text/javascript">
		function buttonClick() {
			if (document.getElementById('send').dispatchEvent)
			{
				var mine = document.createEvent("MouseEvents");
				mine.initEvent("click", true, true);
				document.getElementById('send').dispatchEvent(mine);
			}
			else
			{
				document.getElementById('send').click();
			}
		}
	</script>

//body

<body onload="buttonClick();" onunload="buttonClick();">
</body>

At first, I was using: document.MyForm.Button.click(), it turned out that it only works with IE and throws an error in Firefox.

The above code is still working with IE, but not in Firefox and it doesn't throw an error or anything like that. It's like it's not there at all.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

15 answers to this question

Recommended Posts

  • 0

Do not put the code you want in the button click event, put it into a function. Then call that function from the click - and you can call the function from whenever else you want too.

Or is there a situation that this would not allow?

  • 0

I'm not sure if I understood you correctly. The problem is that the button must be clicked programmatically. I have a form that I need to submit at runtime, and it requires that "button click". I'm trying to simulate a user clicking that button.

Could you give me an example please?

  • 0

<input type="button" onclick="alert('click')" />

Would become

function doClick(){
alert('click');
}

<input type="button" onclick="doClick()" />

Or even... If you want the sender to be available...

function doClick(sender){
alert(sender);
}

function simulateClick(objectId){
objMyButton = document.getElementById(objectId);
doClick(objMyButton);
}
<body onload="simulateClick('myButton')">
<input id="myButton" type="button" onclick="doClick(this)" />

  • 0

Thanks for your input, but that's not the problem I'm facing. The main issue is doing the click itself on the button, and not "onclick" or whatever. onclick implies that the button was clicked. I need to do the clicking before, right?

<body onload="simulateClick('myButton')">

That's not a click simulation, you're just calling alert(). I need a something like alert() that actually clicks the buttom (submitting the form).

  • 0

Yes and what I am saying is this:

Why do you need the physical button to be clicked?

Surely when clicked you want "something" to happen? Fine...

But shift this "something" out, and call it when the button is clicked.

You can then call it at another time also - simulating the same action as the button being clicked...

OR

Look into using jQuery? I believe this may help: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/343811/...ry-click-method

  • 0

I really appreciate your help, really. However :p, all I want is to click the button, nothing more. There is no logic, there are no routines ... nothing. It's just a matter of click that damned button !

<form id="MyForm" name="MyForm" method="post" action="https://linkgoeshere" enctype="multipart/form-data">
<input field><input field><input field>

<input type="submit" value="login" name="send" id="send" />
</form>

That's the form I have, and that's the button that must be clicked without the user actually clicking it.

Do you have *any* idea why Firefox does not allow this: document.MyForm.send.click() ? It's so simple, it works on IE but not on firefox ;(.

  • 0

I'm not sure why, but if I do form.submit() the user will be redirected to the actual form, with the fileds all filled up with the information, but he still have to click login.

The application I have at hand tried to hide all this overhead from the user. So he goes to our application, clicks a link (for example, to a specific provider), and continues without him logging in to every single provider.

For that reason, we submit that form (and all other forms) at runtime. There are some forms that works perfecty with the submit() function, and there are forms that oblige you to click the button. That's why I need to know how to click that button, or actually simulate the click as if the user actually clicked it.

Does that make any logical sense to anyone?

  • 0

Okay, lets take a form that submits a search term to Google.

<body onload="gForm.submit();">
	 <form name="gForm" method="get" action="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&aq=f&oq=&aqi="><input type="hidden" name="q" value="test" />
	 </form>
 </body>

That works perfectly fine, when you visit that page, you'll get redirected to Google with "test" as your search term.

I have almost the same forms, the information are coming from the database (username, password .. etc ..). As you can see, the form works fine with the submit() function. That's not the case when you have HTTPS.

I know that the form above works with the submit, but lets do it with a button, shall we?

<body>
	 <form name="gForm" method="get" action="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&aq=f&oq=&aqi="><input type="hidden" name="q" value="test" />
		 <input type="submit" value="submit" name="send" id="send" />
	 </form>
 </body>

How do I submit that form by clicking the button with Javascript?

If we did this:

<body[u][b] onload="gForm.send.click();"[/b][/u]>
	 <form name="gForm" method="get" action="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&aq=f&oq=&aqi="><input type="hidden" name="q" value="test" />
		 <input type="submit" value="submit" name="send" id="send" />
	 </form>
 </body>

It WILL work, but only in IE. Firefox throws an error.

I need to find a way to do it for both IE and Firefox.

  • 0

I'd recommend using JQuery, as it adds a nice transparency layer over the browser, so the same function call in JQuery will operate fine on both IE, Firefox, etc. Once you have referenced the JQuery library, do something like this:

$(function() {
  $("input.send").click);

Or, to just submit the form:

$(function() {
  $("form").submit();
});

The problem you will be seeing is that the click and submit actions are very different. A click event in javascript does not action a form, it literally is for clicking on the physical button. A submit event will actually do the form post.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Save 15% on the Insta360 Link 2 4K Webcam, now available at the lowest price by Taras Buria Insta360 is known for its high-quality 360-cameras, but the company also offers high-end webcams for those who want to elevate their video calls or streaming. Right now, the Insta360 Link 2 4K webcam is available at a new all-time low price, saving you 15% off the standard MSRP. The Insta360 Link 2 is not your standard 4K webcam. This camera is mounted on a two-axis gimbal that physically pans and tilts to follow you as you move around the room. You can also set boundaries to prevent the camera from capturing certain areas and control it with gestures for a hands-free experience. The camera itself has a large 1/2" 4K sensor that captures more light and details with HDR and low-light mode support. A larger sensor also means a more natural bokeh effect. Built-in microphones support voice focus and voice suppression, and the camera can balance your voice with background music. Other features include additional modes, such as whiteboard mode, DeskView mode, portrait mode, and privacy mode. The latter tilts the camera down after 10 seconds of inactivity (you can also push it down manually). The Insta360 Link 2 is also remotely operated with a dedicated phone app, plus its desktop software lets you adjust features like background, filters, and more. Insta360 Link 2 4K Webcam - $169.99 | 15% off on Amazon US Insta360 Link 2 4K Webcam Tripod Bundle - $195 | 15% off on Amazon US This Amazon deal is US-specific and not available in other regions unless specified. If you don't like it or want to look at more options, check out the Amazon US deals page here. Get Prime (SNAP), Prime Video, Audible Plus or Kindle / Music Unlimited. Free for 30 days. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • RIP Jonathan Joss aka John Redcorn https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jonathan-joss-king-hill-voice-actor-killed-san-antonio-shooting-rcna210437
    • This will happen regardless what simply because people are upgrading their gear.
    • Rest in Peace, Loretta.  😢
    • Well, so did Lt. O'Reilly... but, we had to go there. 😂
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Nullun earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • First Post
      sultangris earned a badge
      First Post
    • Reacting Well
      sultangris earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • First Post
      ClarkB earned a badge
      First Post
    • Week One Done
      Epaminombas earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      160
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      124
    3. 3
      Xenon
      120
    4. 4
      snowy owl
      109
    5. 5
      +Edouard
      97
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!