JavaScript dir method returns empty string for text direction

Question

This returns an empty string when I try to determine the default text direction...

alert(document.getElementById('example').dir);

I would like to determine if the default text direction is ltr or rtl.

See http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1169967/inherited-css-values-via-javascript to access inherited style. — Ord, Jun 08 '12 at 00:49
Do not edit my posts, if you disagree comment first; all edits have only diluted the detail and meaning of my questions. — John, Jun 09 '12 at 08:45

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 08 '12 at 00:46

ltr/rtl is defined with the css "direction" property. It can also be defined using the "dir" attribute on the element in the DOM.

If you're checking for the attribute value, use the getAttribute method:

 document.getElementById('example').getAttribute('dir');

Also, check the style of the element. It defaults to ltr so if undefined, should return as an empty string. Otherwise it should say "rtl"

 document.getElementById('example').style.direction;

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 08 '12 at 00:47

3

I'd use

var elm = document.getElementById('example') || document.body;
return window.getComputedStyle(elm).direction;

answered Jun 08 '12 at 00:47

Bergi

Using alert(window.getComputedStyle(elm).direction);, thanks. – John Jun 09 '12 at 06:01

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 08 '12 at 00:45

0

if it is blank that means it isn't specified in your element's dir attribute.

answered Jun 08 '12 at 00:45

CrayonViolent

score 0 · Accepted Answer · edited May 14 '18 at 23:38

0

I alert during debugging, like so:

alert(window.getComputedStyle(document.getElementById('editor_rich')).direction);

edited May 14 '18 at 23:38

halfer

answered Jun 09 '12 at 08:48

John

4 Answers4