Checking if element exists with jQuery

Question

I have a block of code that looks like this:

//Account Number account = $(msg).find('[name=account_number]').val(); if(account){ $('#progressUpdates').append('<span class="glyphicon glyphicon-ok"></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;Found Account Number<br />'); }else{ $( '#progressUpdates').append('<span class="glyphicon glyphicon-remove"></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;Account Number not found<br />'); }

The problem is, if the element that is being assigned to account doesn't exist, it throws an error. I tried doing :

if(account.length){}

But the issue isn't with the if statement, its assigning the variable. Is there a better solution to this?

Current code should work. val() returns undefined is the element it is called on does not exist. — techfoobar
– techfoobar, Commented Jan 31, 2014 at 14:24
possible duplicate of Is there an "exists" function for jQuery? — Ram
– Ram, Commented Jan 31, 2014 at 14:25
What @techfoobar said, the posted code does not throw an error, and works just fine -> jsfiddle.net/D3LrF — adeneo
– adeneo, Commented Jan 31, 2014 at 14:31

Adil Shaikh · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-31 14:24:22Z

3

Don't call val()

account = $(msg).find('[name=account_number]');

and chack length -

if(account.length){

answered Jan 31, 2014 at 14:24

Adil Shaikh

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3 Comments

SBB Over a year ago

I need the value of that element though.

Adil Shaikh Over a year ago

@SBB Sure... you can call val() if that exist, right ?

SBB Over a year ago

seems like more code than needed but i guess if thats the only way

Jai · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-31 14:27:01Z

instead of this:

account = $(msg).find('[name=account_number]');

try with removing .val():

account = $(msg).find('[name=account_number]');

okay then you have to check for length in your if:

if(account.length){

or if you want the value out of it as suggested by Anton:

account.val()

That would tell me that it found the element but then i need the value of it as well.

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