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 ge

Answer 1

Building my answer on Tim Down's answer, using 'pointerdown' event will work even on touchscreens.

var toBeCleared;

const btnClear = document.querySelector('#btn-clear'); // your clear button

btnClear.addEventListener('pointerdown', function(event) {
  toBeCleared = document.activeElement;
});

btnClear.addEventListener('click', function(event) {
  toBeCleared.value = "";
});