HTMLDialogElement: show() method

The show() method of the HTMLDialogElement interface displays the dialog modelessly, i.e. still allowing interaction with content outside of the dialog.

Syntax

js

show()

Parameters

None.

Return value

None (undefined).

Examples

The following example shows a simple button that, when clicked, opens a <dialog> containing a form via the show() method. From there you can click the Cancel button to close the dialog (via the HTMLDialogElement.close() method), or submit the form via the submit button.

html

<!-- Simple pop-up dialog box, containing a form -->
<dialog id="favDialog">
  <form method="dialog">
    <section>
      <p>
        <label for="favAnimal">Favorite animal:</label>
        <select id="favAnimal" name="favAnimal">
          <option></option>
          <option>Brine shrimp</option>
          <option>Red panda</option>
          <option>Spider monkey</option>
        </select>
      </p>
    </section>
    <menu>
      <button id="cancel" type="reset">Cancel</button>
      <button type="submit">Confirm</button>
    </menu>
  </form>
</dialog>

<menu>
  <button id="updateDetails">Update details</button>
</menu>

<script>
  (() => {
    const updateButton = document.getElementById("updateDetails");
    const cancelButton = document.getElementById("cancel");
    const dialog = document.getElementById("favDialog");
    dialog.returnValue = "favAnimal";

    function openCheck(dialog) {
      if (dialog.open) {
        console.log("Dialog open");
      } else {
        console.log("Dialog closed");
      }
    }

    // Update button opens a modeless dialog
    updateButton.addEventListener("click", () => {
      dialog.show();
      openCheck(dialog);
    });

    // Form cancel button closes the dialog box
    cancelButton.addEventListener("click", () => {
      dialog.close("animalNotChosen");
      openCheck(dialog);
    });
  })();
</script>

Specifications

Specification
HTML Standard
# dom-dialog-show-dev

Browser compatibility

BCD tables only load in the browser

See also

  • The HTML element implementing this interface: <dialog>.