elementFromPoint

Summary

Returns the element at the specified x and y coordinates.

Syntax

var element = document.elementFromPoint(x, y);

Parameters

x

Data-type: double

A number that specifies the X-offset, in pixels. Zero-based.

y

Data-type: double

A number that specifies the Y-offset, in pixels. Zero-based.

Return Value

Returns an object of type DOM NodeDOM Node

The element at the given point.

Examples

Listen for click event on entire document, log nodeName of element found with elementFromPoint()

document.addEventListener("click", function(event){
  var el = document.elementFromPoint(event.clientX, event.clientY);
  console.log(el.nodeName);
});

Usage

 This methods is used to get the element from the document whose elementFromPoint method is being called which is the topmost element which lies under the given point.  To get an element, specify the point via coordinates, in CSS pixels, relative to the upper-left-most point in the window or frame containing the document.

Notes

Coordinates are supplied in client coordinates. The upper-left corner of the client area is (0,0). For elementFromPoint to exhibit expected behavior, the object or element located at position (x, y) must support and respond to mouse events.

Related specifications

CSSOM View Module: Editor’s Draft 3

Attributions

Mozilla Developer Network : Article
Microsoft Developer Network: [Windows Internet Explorer API reference Article]