designMode Property

Internet Development Index

Sets or retrieves a value that indicates whether the document can be edited.

Syntax

document.designMode [ = sMode ]

Possible Values

sModeString that specifies or receives one of the following values.
OnDocument can be edited.
Off | InheritDefault. Document cannot be edited.

The property is read/write. The property has a default value of Off | Inherit.

Expressions can be used in place of the preceding value(s), as of Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5. For more information, see About Dynamic Properties.

Remarks

You can use the designMode property to put Microsoft® Internet Explorer into a mode where you can edit the current document.

While the browser is in design mode, objects enter a UI-activated state when the user presses ENTER or clicks an object that has focus, or when the user double-clicks the object. Objects that are UI-activated have their own window within the document. You can modify the UI only when the object is in a UI-activated state.

You cannot execute script when the value of the designMode property is set to On.

Standards Information

There is no public standard that applies to this property.

Applies To

document

See Also

Introduction to MSHTML Editing