onmousedown Event
Example
Execute a JavaScript when pressing a mouse button over a paragraph:
<p onmousedown="myFunction()">Click the text!</p>
Try it Yourself »
More "Try it Yourself" examples below.
Definition and Usage
The onmousedown event occurs when a user presses a mouse button over an element.
Tip: The order of events related to the onmousedown event (for the left/middle mouse button):
The order of events related to the onmousedown event (for the right mouse button):
- onmousedown
- onmouseup
- oncontextmenu
Browser Support
| Event | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| onmousedown | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Syntax
In JavaScript, using the addEventListener() method:
object.addEventListener("mousedown", myScript);
Try it Yourself »
Note: The addEventListener() method is not supported in Internet Explorer 8 and earlier versions.
Technical Details
| Bubbles: | Yes |
|---|---|
| Cancelable: | Yes |
| Event type: | MouseEvent |
| Supported HTML tags: | All HTML elements, EXCEPT: <base>, <bdo>, <br>, <head>, <html>, <iframe>, <meta>, <param>, <script>, <style>, and <title> |
| DOM Version: | Level 2 Events |
More Examples
Trigger a function with parameters when the button is pressed down
When the mouse button is pressed down over a <p> element, change its color to red.
Alert which mouse button that was pressed
Alert which mouse button the user pressed.
Alert the element the user clicked on
Alert the name of the element the user clicked on.
