CSSStyleSheet: addRule() method

Deprecated: This feature is no longer recommended. Though some browsers might still support it, it may have already been removed from the relevant web standards, may be in the process of being dropped, or may only be kept for compatibility purposes. Avoid using it, and update existing code if possible; see the compatibility table at the bottom of this page to guide your decision. Be aware that this feature may cease to work at any time.

The obsolete CSSStyleSheet interface's addRule() legacy method adds a new rule to the stylesheet. You should avoid using this method, and should instead use the more standard insertRule() method.

Syntax

js
addRule(selector, styleBlock, index)

Parameters

selector

A string specifying the selector portion of the CSS rule. The default is the string undefined.

styleBlock

A string indicating the style block to apply to elements matching the selector. The default is the string undefined.

index Optional

An optional index into the stylesheet's CSSRuleList at which to insert the new rule. If index is not specified, the next index after the last item currently in the list is used (that is, the value of cssStyleSheet.cssRules.length).

Return value

Always returns -1.

Note that due to somewhat esoteric rules about where you can legally insert rules, it's possible that an exception may be thrown. See insertRule() for more information.

Usage notes

This method is implemented by browsers by constructing a string using the template literal `${selector}{${styleBlock}}`, then passing it into the standard insertRule() method.

Therefore, given existing code such as the following:

js
cssStyleSheet.addRule(selector, styles, 0);

You can rewrite this to use the more standard insertRule() like this:

js
cssStyleSheet.insertRule(`${selector} {${styles}}`, 0);

Specifications

Specification
CSS Object Model (CSSOM)
# dom-cssstylesheet-addrule

Browser compatibility

Report problems with this compatibility data on GitHub
desktopmobile
Chrome
Edge
Firefox
Opera
Safari
Chrome Android
Firefox for Android
Opera Android
Safari on iOS
Samsung Internet
WebView Android
WebView on iOS
addRule()
Deprecated

Legend

Tip: you can click/tap on a cell for more information.

Full support
Full support
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.

See also