attachEvent method

[IHTMLElement2::attachEvent is no longer supported. Starting with Internet Explorer 11, use IEventTarget::addEventListener. For info, see Compatibility changes.]

Binds the specified function to an event, so that the function gets called whenever the event fires on the object.

Syntax

 retVal = object.attachEvent(event, pDisp);

Parameters

  • event [in]
    Type: BSTR

    BSTR that specifies any of the standard DHTML Events.

  • pDisp [in]
    Type: IDispatch

    Pointer to an IDispatch interface that specifies the function to call when event fires.

Standards information

There are no standards that apply here.

Remarks

When event fires on the object, the object's event handler is called before pDisp, the specified function. If you attach multiple functions to the same event on the same object, the functions are called in random order, immediately after the object's event handler is called.

The IHTMLElement2::attachEvent method enables a behavior to handle events that occur on the containing page. This method is not limited, however, to behaviors. You can also define a function on a page that attaches to events fired on the same page.

Behaviors that attach to events using the IHTMLElement2::attachEvent method must explicitly call the IHTMLElement2::detachEvent method to stop receiving notifications from the page when the ondetach event fires.

See also

Reference

IHTMLElement2::detachEvent

Conceptual

Introduction to DHTML Behaviors

Using DHTML Behaviors

Using HTML Components to Implement DHTML Behaviors in Script