Getting attribute of element inside an iframe

**jofa** · Oct 9, 2003 09:05

I have a document containing an iframe (please don't ask why...), and now I'm trying to access elements/attributes in the document inside that iframe

Tried code like this:

Code:

...
var frm = document.getElementById("iframe_id");
var doc = frm.contentDocument;
var lnk = doc.getElementById("link_id");
...

Result:
Error: uncaught exception:
Permission denied to get property HTMLDocument.getElementById

And, yes, the src of the iframe is an external document (relevant info?)

Help!

**MikeFoster** · Oct 9, 2003 10:02

I just replied to a similar question here, perhaps that will be helpful.

**MikeFoster** · Oct 9, 2003 10:04

Oops... You're asking about iframe - I didn't read the question too good did I. I think I've got something else... brb

**MikeFoster** · Oct 9, 2003 10:10

Edit:

obviously I'm not awake yet

I think your code is right - esp. for Moz. Must be a security thing.

Edit:

I can duplicate the problem - but I don't know what to do about it. I'm really lookin stupid here - I hope someone comes along and rescues me pretty quick

**jofa** · Oct 9, 2003 10:35

Originally Posted by MikeFoster

Oops... You're asking about iframe - I didn't read the question too good did I. ...

Isn't that other question ("Accessing an iframe content through DOM") about an iframe too?

OK, now I know there are at least 2 persons having the same problem...
(Not only me feeling stupid)

**MikeFoster** · Oct 9, 2003 10:54

**beetle** · Oct 9, 2003 12:19

Are both the containing document and framed document within the same domain?

Cross-domain DOM manipulation (even reading) is restricted by all browsers that I'm familiar with.

**jofa** · Oct 9, 2003 12:29

Originally Posted by beetle

Are both the containing document and framed document within the same domain?

No, different domains

Originally Posted by jofa

...the src of the iframe is an external document (relevant info?)

Originally Posted by beetle

Cross-domain DOM manipulation (even reading) is restricted by all browsers that I'm familiar with.

That explains a lot of things.
I guess the only (im)possible solution is: Instruct each user how to add both domains to "trusted sites" (and in the Mozilla cases, how to install the Policy Manager add-on)?

Thank you for the answer, anyway

**beetle** · Oct 9, 2003 12:35

Ya, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but with the symptoms you described, that seemed to be the only remaining issue.

Now that you know, I'm sure it won't take you long to postulate why browser security doesn't allow this.

**vgarcia** · Oct 9, 2003 12:43

How about bringing the page to you server-side (like with XMLHTTP in ASP), stripping out the unneeded <html>, <body>, etc. tags, and including the content in a <div> instead? Then you can use the regular DOM (childNodes, etc.) to manipulate elements, but will still have a fresh copy of the data in the remote page. It's a lot of extra work but if you really need this it's worth a shot.

**beetle** · Oct 9, 2003 12:48

That's an interesting idea, Vinnie. I'd be curious to see that in action.

I think it goes without saying to be mindful of possible legal issues.

**MikeFoster** · Oct 9, 2003 13:18

Vinnie and beetle, thanks for the rescue

**beetle** · Oct 9, 2003 13:24

Hehe, ya. It looks like you jumped into the water with your clothes on

**MikeFoster** · Oct 9, 2003 13:39

and my wallet, and my keys, and my cellphone...

**beetle** · Oct 9, 2003 13:44

What are you up to Mike? Changing your avatar everytime you post?

**vgarcia** · Oct 9, 2003 13:48

Originally Posted by beetle

I think it goes without saying to be mindful of possible legal issues.

I wouldn't think that there'd be any more legal issues involved than having the remote site in an iframe in the first place.

**jofa** · Oct 9, 2003 14:58

Originally Posted by vgarcia

How about bringing the page to you server-side (like with XMLHTTP in ASP)...

Yep, that was what I tried after the unsuccessful HTMLDocument.getElementById experience

Error: uncaught exception: Permission denied to call method XMLHttpRequest.open

I think I've resigned, sort of

Legal issues:
The document inside the iframe is a news ticker from BBC (already checked that it's OK to include it), and the only thing I wanted to change was target="_top" to target="_blank" (and please, no comments on using the target attribute...)

**beetle** · Oct 9, 2003 15:02

Ya, I think your optionless at this point. Sorry, bud.

**MikeFoster** · Oct 9, 2003 16:14

Originally Posted by beetle

What are you up to Mike? Changing your avatar everytime you post?

But they're all so sharp... I can't make up my mind...

**jofa** · Oct 9, 2003 16:58

Wondering: Is there a way to automatically pop up the Policy Manager add-on in Mozilla? (I know, kind of self contradictory, if the user has enabled popup blocking...

)

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