DataTransferItemList.length

The read-only DataTransferItemList.length property returns the number of items in the list. If the list has no items, or is disabled (because it has no data store at all), this property returns zero.

Syntax

length = DataTransferItemList.length;

Return value

The number of drag data items in the list, or 0 if the list is empty or has no data store associated with it.

Example

This example shows the use of the length property.

JavaScript

function dragstart_handler(ev) {
  console.log("dragStart");
  // Add this element's id to the drag payload so the drop handler will
  // know which element to add to its tree
  var dataList = ev.dataTransfer.items;
  dataList.add(ev.target.id, "text/plain");
  // Add some other items to the drag payload 
  dataList.add("<p>... paragraph ...</p>", "text/html");
  dataList.add("http://www.example.org","text/uri-list");
}
function drop_handler(ev) {
  console.log("Drop");
  ev.preventDefault();
  var data = ev.dataTransfer.items;
  // Loop through the dropped items and log their data
  for (var i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
    if ((data[i].kind == 'string') && (data[i].type.match('^text/plain'))) {
      // This item is the target node
      data[i].getAsString(function (s){
        ev.target.appendChild(document.getElementById(s)); 
      });
    } else if ((data[i].kind == 'string') && (data[i].type.match('^text/html'))) {
      // Drag data item is HTML
      data[i].getAsString(function (s){
        console.log("... Drop: HTML = " + s);
      });
    } else if ((data[i].kind == 'string') && (data[i].type.match('^text/uri-list'))) {
      // Drag data item is URI
      data[i].getAsString(function (s){
        console.log("... Drop: URI = " + s);
      });
    }
  }
}
function dragover_handler(ev) {
  console.log("dragOver");
  ev.preventDefault();
  // Set the dropEffect to move
  ev.dataTransfer.dropEffect = "move"
}
function dragend_handler(ev) {
  console.log("dragEnd");
  var dataList = ev.dataTransfer.items;
  // Clear any remaining drag data
  dataList.clear();
}

HTML

<div>
  <p id="source" ondragstart="dragstart_handler(event);" ondragend="dragend_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>

CSS

div {
  margin: 0em;
  padding: 2em;
} 
#source {
  color: blue;
  border: 1px solid black;
}
#target {
  border: 1px solid black;
}

Result

Drag and Drop demo link

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WHATWG HTML Living Standard
The definition of 'length' in that specification.
Living Standard  
HTML5.1
The definition of 'length' in that specification.
Recommendation Not included in W3C HTML5 Recommendation

Browser compatibility

  
Feature Chrome Edge Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari (WebKit)
Basic support 4 (Yes) 50 (50) No support 12 No support
  
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) 50.0 (50) No support No support No support No support

Document Tags and Contributors

 Contributors to this page: nvlled, enishina, erikadoyle, Sheppy, rolfedh, AFBarstow
 Last updated by: nvlled,