Using jQueryUI Dialog, how can I get the element that opened the dialog?

Question

For example, I have many lines of data, each of which has an edit button with an edit-button class.

I have a click .live() handler for .edit-button elements.

In the dialog callback for one of the “buttons,” I would like to pass the string as an argument.

In particular, I would like to get the parent ID attribute .edit-button tr (in the table).

Usually I can do something line by line:

 var tr = $(element).parents("tr:first"); 

... to get the element tr .

How will this be achieved?

Answer 1

When binding with .live('click', function(eventObj)

eventObj will give you access to eventObj.target, which you can use to determine which DOM element started it.

Literature:

• http://api.jquery.com/live/ (find "Multiple Events" *)
• http://api.jquery.com/bind/ (find the "Event Object")
• http://api.jquery.com/category/events/event-object/

* An example refers to using an event to get .type, but you can also get .target from it.

Answer 2

Store the element ( this in the click handler) somewhere so you can access it later. If you want the parent TR, use var tr = $(this).closest('tr');