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JavaScript HTML DOM - Changing HTML

The HTML DOM allows JavaScript to change the content of HTML elements.



Changing the HTML Output Stream

 

JavaScript can create dynamic HTML content:

Date: Mon Aug 22 2016 13:12:44 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)

In JavaScript, document.write() can be used to write directly to the HTML output stream:

Example

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>

<script>
document.write(Date());
</script>

</body>
</html>
Try it Yourself

Never use document.write() after the document is loaded. It will overwrite the document.

Changing HTML Content

 

The easiest way to modify the content of an HTML element is by using the innerHTML property.

To change the content of an HTML element, use this syntax:

document.getElementById(id).innerHTML = new HTML

This example changes the content of a <p> element:

Example

<html>
<body>

<p id="p1">Hello World!</p>

<script>
document.getElementById("p1").innerHTML = "New text!";
</script>

</body>
</html>
Try it Yourself

This example changes the content of an <h1> element:

Example

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>

<h1 id="header">Old Header</h1>

<script>
var element = document.getElementById("header");
element.innerHTML = "New Header";
</script>

</body>
</html>
Try it Yourself

Example explained:

Changing the Value of an Attribute

 

To change the value of an HTML attribute, use this syntax:

document.getElementById(id).attribute=new value

This example changes the value of the src attribute of an <img> element:

Example

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>

<img id="myImage" src="smiley.gif">

<script>
document.getElementById("myImage").src = "landscape.jpg";
</script>

</body>
</html>
Try it Yourself

Example explained:

Test Yourself with Exercises