How can I use jQuery methods on elements accessed by brackets notation?

Question

Elements from jQuery object can be accessed by bracket notation, like so: $(\'div\')[0] But in this case jQuery methods cannot be used.

Any other way to

Answer 1

Wrap it in a jQuery object again:

var element = $('div')[0]; // DOM element
var $element = $(element); // jQuery object

Better yet, just use a narrower selector in the first place:

var $element = $('div:eq(0)');

http://api.jquery.com/eq-selector/

Answer 2

If you're trying to get the first jQuery object in a collection, use jQuery's eq() method:

$collection.eq(0);

You can also use the :eq() selector when creating the collection in the first place:

var $collection = $('div:eq(0)');