Which HTML elements can receive focus?

Question

I'm looking for a definitive list of HTML elements which are allowed to take focus, i.e. which elements will be put into focus when focus() is called on them?

I'm writing a jQuery extension which works on elements that can be brought into focus. I hope the answer to this question will allow me to be specific about the elements I target.

Answer 1

There isn't a definite list, it's up to the browser. The only standard we have is DOM Level 2 HTML, according to which the only elements that have a focus() method are HTMLInputElement, HTMLSelectElement, HTMLTextAreaElement and HTMLAnchorElement. This notably omits HTMLButtonElement and HTMLAreaElement.

Today's browsers define focus() on HTMLElement, but an element won't actually take focus unless it's one of:

• HTMLAnchorElement/HTMLAreaElement with an href
• HTMLInputElement/HTMLSelectElement/HTMLTextAreaElement/HTMLButtonElement but not with disabled (IE actually gives you an error if you try), and file uploads have unusual behaviour for security reasons
• HTMLIFrameElement (though focusing it doesn't do anything useful). Other embedding elements also, maybe, I haven't tested them all.
• Any element with a tabindex

There are likely to be other subtle exceptions and additions to this behaviour depending on browser.