How can I get access to a Highcharts chart through a DOM-Container?

javascript

prompt-engineering

highcharts

dom-container

byNikita Barsukov·Jan 9, 2025

Short and sweet way to access a Highcharts chart is through containers data-highcharts-chart attribute which provides the chart's index in the Highcharts.charts array. Use this index to gain control over the chart instance.

var chartIndex = document.getElementById('highcharts-container').dataset.highchartsChart;
var chart = Highcharts.charts[chartIndex];

chart.setTitle({ text: 'New Kitten Video Stats' }); // Because who doesn't love kitten videos?

Power Moves: Advanced Access Techniques

Get even more out of accessing your Highcharts chart instance and make it undeniably user-friendly by leveraging advanced techniques. These will provide you a seamless experience no matter how complex your application gets.

Going Global? No, thanks!

Let's leave global to warming and multinational companies. In the world of web development, global variables are a no-go. Get the cleaner reference to your charts without cluttering the global namespace:

let chart = $('#highcharts-container').highcharts(); // Nifty jQuery magic

Master of Instance Universe

If your application boasts of multiple charts, you'll need a way to efficiently keep track of instances. Build a global map of charts, referencing them via their container IDs:

var highchartsMap = {};

// Spawn a chart and christen it on the map
highchartsMap['containerID'] = new Highcharts.Chart(options);

// Summon the chart from the depths later
var chart = highchartsMap['containerID']; // Perform a resurrection ritual

The Classy Way

Not a fan of identity cards (IDs)? Use a className instead for your chart access:

var chart = $(".highcharts-class-name").highcharts();

For all the conformists out there, this is a smooth way to handle similar chart types under the same classy umbrella.

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Tips for Efficient Chart Interaction

A Party of Charts

Throwing a party for multiple charts? Use jQuery's .each() function to entertain all attendees!

$('.highcharts-container').each(function() {
   var chart = $(this).highcharts();
   // Dance with the charts now
});

Safety First: Chart Access via Class

Being classy comes with responsibilities. Make sure your access to the chart is as smooth as its class by adding a safety net:

var container = document.querySelector('.highcharts-class-name');
if (container && container.classList.contains('highcharts-initialized')) {
  var chart = container.highcharts();
  // Just a safety dance, move along.
}

Self-Containment for the Win: External Functionality with Data Attributes

Shun reliance on global variables or arrays and use data attributes to store and retrieve the chart instance:

$('#highcharts-container').data('highchartsChart', new Highcharts.Chart(options));
// Bury the chart in a time capsule

// Eons later...
var chart = $('#highcharts-container').data('highchartsChart');
// The future archaeologists thank you for your foresight!