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DataTransfer.setData

The DataTransfer.setData() method sets the drag operation's drag data to the specified data and type. If data for the given type does not exist, it is added at the end of the drag data store, such that the last item in the types list will be the new type. If data for the given type already exists, the existing data is replaced in the same position. That is, the order of the types list is not changed when replacing data of the same type.

Example data types are text/plain and text/uri-list.

Syntax

void dataTransfer.setData(format, data);

Arguments

format: A DOMString representing the type of the drag data to add to the drag object.
data: A DOMString representing the data to add to the drag object.

Return value

void

Example

This example shows the use of the DataTransfer object's getData(), setData() and clearData() methods.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang=en>
<title>Examples of DataTransfer's setData(), getData() and clearData()</title>
<meta content="width=device-width">
<style>
  div {
    margin: 0em;
    padding: 2em;
  }
  #source {
    color: blue;
    border: 1px solid black;
  }
  #target {
    border: 1px solid black;
  }
</style>
<script>
function dragstart_handler(ev) {
 console.log("dragStart");
 // Change the source element's background color to signify drag has started
 ev.currentTarget.style.border = "dashed";
 // Set the drag's format and data. Use the event target's id for the data 
 ev.dataTransfer.setData("text/plain", ev.target.id);
}

function dragover_handler(ev) {
 console.log("dragOver");
 ev.preventDefault();
}

function drop_handler(ev) {
 console.log("Drop");
 ev.preventDefault();
 // Get the data, which is the id of the drop target
 var data = ev.dataTransfer.getData("text");
 ev.target.appendChild(document.getElementById(data));
 // Clear the drag data cache (for all formats/types)
 ev.dataTransfer.clearData();
}
</script>
<body>
<h1>Examples of <code>DataTransfer</code>: <code>setData()</code>, <code>getData()</code>, <code>clearData()</code></h1>
 <div>
   <p id="source" ondragstart="dragstart_handler(event);" draggable="true">
     Select this element, drag it to the Drop Zone and then release the selection to move the element.</p>
 </div>
 <div id="target" ondrop="drop_handler(event);" ondragover="dragover_handler(event);">Drop Zone</div>
</body>
</html>

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
HTML Living Standard The definition of 'setData()' in that specification.	Living Standard
HTML 5.1 The definition of 'setData()' in that specification.	Recommendation	Initial definition

Browser compatibility

Feature	Chrome	Edge	Firefox (Gecko)	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari (WebKit)
Basic support	4	(Yes)	3.5	10	12	3.1

Feature	Android	Android Webview	Chrome for Android	Edge	Firefox Mobile (Gecko)	Firefox OS	IE Mobile	Opera Mobile	Safari Mobile
Basic support	No support	No support	No support	(Yes)	No support	No support	10	No support	No support