## .ajaxStart( handler )Returns: jQuery

Description: Register a handler to be called when the first Ajax request begins. This is an Ajax Event.

- #### version added: 1.0.ajaxStart( handler )

  - handler
    Type: Function()
    The function to be invoked.

Whenever an Ajax request is about to be sent, jQuery checks whether there are any other outstanding Ajax requests. If none are in progress, jQuery triggers the `ajaxStart` event. Any and all handlers that have been registered with the `.ajaxStart()` method are executed at this time.

To observe this method in action, set up a basic Ajax load request:

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    <div class="trigger">Trigger</div><div class="result"></div><div class="log"></div>

Attach the event handler to any element:

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    $( document ).ajaxStart(function() {  $( ".log" ).text( "Triggered ajaxStart handler." );});

Now, make an Ajax request using any jQuery method:

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    $( ".trigger" ).click(function() {  $( ".result" ).load( "ajax/test.html" );});

When the user clicks the element with class `trigger` and the Ajax request is sent, the log message is displayed.

### Additional Notes:

- As of jQuery 1.9, all the handlers for the jQuery global Ajax events, including those added with the `.ajaxStart()` method, must be attached to `document`.
- If `$.ajax()` or `$.ajaxSetup()` is called with the `global` option set to `false`, the `.ajaxStart()` method will not fire.

## Example:

Show a loading message whenever an Ajax request starts (and none is already active).

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    $( document ).ajaxStart(function() {  $( "#loading" ).show();});