[Javascript] writing to iframe

Tue Apr 5 05:31:35 CDT 2005

John Huebner <jhuebner08 at student.mvcc.edu> wrote:

> So you're saying it should be

> window.frames.iframe_name.document.open();
> window.frames.iframe_name.document.write("content to write");
> window.frames.iframe_name.document.close();

Yes, that should work. 'window' is in scope as it is, so the 'window.' 
prefix is only technically necessary if you plan to have a local 
variable overriding the name 'frames'. You can include it anyway, for 
safety or to make the code clearer - your call.

> However, I don't understand why it the script needs to write to the file 
> on the server.

It doesn't write to the server as such. Pointing the src to a document 
on the same server means you get access to the frame's 'document' 
property. Pointing it to a different server means the script is 
disallowed access.

> The iframe starts out empty, no src value at all.

This will indeed work in many browsers, but in my experience fails under 
Opera (up to version 7). If cross-browser compatibility is a concern, 
including a src pointing to the current server is a good idea.

> On the other hand, netscape does not.

Works for me. Check your document validates and/or try doing the writing 
after the document is finished (eg. onload)... in my experience under 
Mozilla-based browsers the window.frames array may be 'not ready' at 
<script>-block-running-time if you have omitted key elements such as <body>.

-- 
Andrew Clover
mailto:and at doxdesk.com
http://www.doxdesk.com/