how to call a javascript function in the top frame?

javascript frames
Rory picture Rory · Jun 18, 2010 · Viewed 10.9k times · Source

This seems really simple, but how do I call a javascript function that's defined in the top-level html, from a child frame?

top html doc
 - 1st level frame
    - 2nd level frame

my top html doc has a function called testFn(). In the 2nd level frame I have a button with onclick="top.testFn();" but this doesn't call the testFn(). In Firebug if I use a watch to execute top.testFn(); it says TypeError: testFn() is not a function.

Should this all just work - in which case it's a problem with my documents, or is there some other way to call functions in the top-level window?

Answer

David Hedlund picture David Hedlund · Jun 18, 2010

Your code looks right. If it says testFn() is not a function then perhaps it isn't. Have you tried setting onload="testFn();" in the <BODY> of your top frame to make sure that works?

There could be some javascript error which leads to the code creating your testFn function not being successfully completed.

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