return elements that match specified CSS selector(s)

Can I modify the elements returned by querySelectorAll()?

Answers:

  • The elements returned by querySelectorAll() are a static NodeList, meaning they represent a snapshot of the elements that match the selector at the time the method was called. You cannot directly modify the NodeList itself (for example, you cannot add or remove elements from it), but you can modify the properties or attributes of the individual elements within that NodeList.

    Here’s what you can do with the elements returned by querySelectorAll():

    1. Iterate Through the NodeList: You can loop through the NodeList to access each element and modify their properties or attributes.

    2. Modify Properties: You can change attributes such as class, style, innerHTML, etc., of the individual elements.

    Example:

    // Assume you have several <div> elements with the class 'example'
const elements = document.querySelectorAll('.example');

// Loop through the NodeList and modify the style or content of each element
elements.forEach(function(element) {
    element.style.backgroundColor = 'yellow'; // Change background color
    element.innerHTML = 'Modified content';   // Change content
});

    Important Points to Note:

    • Static NodeList: Since the NodeList returned is static, if elements matching the query are added or removed from the DOM after the NodeList is created, those changes will not be reflected in the NodeList.

    • You cannot change the NodeList itself: You cannot add new elements to or remove existing elements from the NodeList. You would need to create a new NodeList by calling querySelectorAll() again if you need an updated list of elements.

    So in summary, while you can't modify the NodeList itself, you can modify the actual DOM elements that the NodeList references.

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