How do I get the previously focused element in JavaScript?

Question

I have an HTML form with multiple text inputs. I want to clear the element that had the focus immediately prior to when the 'Clear' button is pressed. How do I get that element in JavaScript?

Note: Reworded to take comments into account.

Answer 1

Create a global variable for storing the current focused element's id,

var cur_id;

call one function for onblur of each of elements and pass id

<input type="text" id="name" name="name" onBlur="setId(this.id)">

and write the set the id to global variable from that function

function setId(id) {
    cur_id = id;
}

and write a function for onclick of clear button, like this

function clear() {
    document.getElementById(cur_id).value = "";
}

Answer 2

When you click "clear" button, only element focused is "clear" button. You'll have to workaround it. (trigger onblur event)