Stringify in javascript is returning an empty value

Question

So I have the following code

var email = row.cells[2];
console.log(email);

and that returns <td>[email protected]</td>as an object I think however I need that value as a string in order to remove the <td></td> I some websites says that I can use JSON.stringify but when i do it like that it returns {} anybody knows why?.

Because it's not a JavaScript object - it's a DOM node. Do email.textContent instead. — VLAZ
– VLAZ, Commented Nov 8, 2016 at 21:16
everything in javascript is an object, including strings and dom nodes. — I wrestled a bear once.
– I wrestled a bear once., Commented Nov 8, 2016 at 21:17
@Iwrestledabearonce. aside from being untrue in general (see: primitives) I was just explaining why JSON.stringify doesn't work. — VLAZ
– VLAZ, Commented Nov 8, 2016 at 21:21
@Iwrestledabearonce. doesnt necessarily mean that It can be stringified by JSON methods. — Valentin Roudge
– Valentin Roudge, Commented Nov 8, 2016 at 21:22

2 revs, 2 users 93% · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-08 21:26:14Z

3

The value that is returned is not just a normal JavaScript object, it's a special one. It is a DOM node, or more specifically a DOM element. It is the way the page is represented in JS.

Because of this, JSON.stringify() returns {}. Luckily, DOM elements have their own way of getting contents. To get the text content of a DOM element, use .textContent. In this case, it would be

var DOM_Element = row.cells[2];
var email = DOM_Element.textContent
console.log(email);

Consider also innerHTML

var email = row.cells[2].innerHTML
console.log(email);

Credit to @vlaz's comment.

edited Nov 8, 2016 at 21:26

community wiki

2 revs, 2 users 93%
LarsW

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2 Comments

LarsW Over a year ago

Ok, so did I get something wrong? I thought this was the right procedure: when someone answers the question in the comments, create a community wiki to say what they said, so the answer can be accepted. Should I have waited longer, or is there some facts I got wrong?

VLAZ Over a year ago

Not sure what the downvote was about, really. If it is about the comment - I'm perfectly happy with people using it. It's why I left it there. Just couldn't be bothered to post an actual answer.

Valentin Roudge · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-08 21:19:47Z

0

try

var email = row.cells[2].textContent;

edited Nov 8, 2016 at 21:19

answered Nov 8, 2016 at 21:18

Valentin Roudge

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2 Comments

I wrestled a bear once. Over a year ago

remove the stringify, it's not JSON, doesn't need to be stringified.

Valentin Roudge Over a year ago

Yeah OP caught my attention with that stringify, see edited answer.

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