jQuery .add() Method

Posted in jQuery Tutorial

Updated on May 07, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 7 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 0

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

jQuery is renowned for its ability to simplify JavaScript code and expedite web development processes. Among its arsenal of methods, the .add() method stands out as a versatile tool for dynamically adding elements to selected sets.

This guide explores the potential of the jQuery .add() method through illustrative examples and clear explanations, empowering you to wield this powerful tool proficiently in your web projects.

🧠 Understanding .add() Method

The .add() method in jQuery allows you to add elements to the set of matched elements. It seamlessly merges selected elements with additional elements or selectors, facilitating dynamic manipulation of DOM elements.

💡 Syntax

The syntax for the .add() method is straightforward:

syntax.js

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$(selector).add(elements)

📝 Example

Adding Elements to Selected Set:

Consider a scenario where you have a set of paragraphs and you want to add a heading element to it. You can accomplish this using the .add() method:
index.html
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```
<div id="content">
  <p>Paragraph 1</p>
  <p>Paragraph 2</p>
</div>
```
example.js
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```
var heading = $("<h2>New Heading</h2>");
$("#content").find("p").add(heading).appendTo("#content");
```
This code will add a <h2> heading element alongside the existing paragraphs within the #content div.
Combining Sets of Elements:

You can also use the .add() method to combine multiple sets of elements. Suppose you have two sets of list items and you want to merge them:
index.html
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```
<ul id="list1">
  <li>Item 1</li>
  <li>Item 2</li>
</ul>
<ul id="list2">
  <li>Item 3</li>
  <li>Item 4</li>
</ul>
```
example.js
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```
var combinedList = $("#list1 li").add("#list2 li");
```
Now combinedList will contain all list items from both #list1 and #list2.
Chaining .add() Method:

The .add() method can be chained with other jQuery methods for concise and efficient code. For instance, let's add a class to a set of elements after combining them:
example.js
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```
var combinedElements = $("#element1").add("#element2").addClass("highlight");
```
This code will add the class highlight to both #element1 and #element2.
Removing Duplicates:

The .add() method automatically removes duplicates when adding elements, ensuring that each element appears only once in the resulting set.

🎉 Conclusion

The jQuery .add() method offers a flexible and efficient way to manipulate sets of DOM elements. Whether you need to add elements, combine sets, or chain methods for complex operations, .add() empowers you to achieve your desired functionality with ease.

By mastering the usage of this method, you can streamline your JavaScript code and create more dynamic and interactive web experiences.