Passing Variables to External Javascript

Question

I have a view dynamic variables that I would like to pass to an external javascript.

in the HTML I am setting a few hidden input fields, as such:

<input type=hidden id="varID" value="sourceID">

and then calling them in my external Javascript file as such:

varID = document.getElementById("varID").value;

When I check to see if there is anything in there, I always get an undefined. In my HTML, I am setting the hidden input field before I even al to load the external javascript file.

Any ideas of what I'm missing?

Wait until the DOM is loaded in your external file before checking for the elements — Johan, Apr 09 '15 at 14:40
use the onload() event from the html tag to call a function when the DOM is loaded. — jtb, Apr 09 '15 at 14:44
[Why does jQuery or a DOM method such as getElementById not find the element?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/14028959/why-does-jquery-or-a-dom-method-such-as-getelementbyid-not-find-the-element) — Jonathan Lonowski, Apr 09 '15 at 14:53
Possibly related: [Do DOM tree elements with ids become global variables?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3434278/do-dom-tree-elements-with-ids-become-global-variables) Using a global variable by the same identifier as the element's `id` may be clashing with the browser's own use of globals. — Jonathan Lonowski, Apr 09 '15 at 15:13

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 09 '15 at 14:50

1

Try this in your external JavaScript.

$(document).ready(function() {    
    var varID = document.getElementById("varID").value;
});

edited Apr 09 '15 at 14:50

rjmacarthy

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answered Apr 09 '15 at 14:42

tech-gayan

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that did it... I don't know why... since everything else was loading properly without the document.ready. – Murphy1976 Apr 09 '15 at 14:45
$( document ).ready will make sure the Dom is ready before accessing any data in it. if it helps you please mark the answer. – tech-gayan Apr 09 '15 at 14:49
I have to wait a minute before I can mark this correct... be patient. – Murphy1976 Apr 09 '15 at 14:50

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 09 '15 at 14:42

0

Try this:

window.onload = function () {
   var varID = document.getElementById("varID").value;
}

Basically, the JavaScript code will only run once the page has loaded.

answered Apr 09 '15 at 14:42

rjmacarthy

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Passing Variables to External Javascript

2 Answers2