---
name: "XSelectInput"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libx11"
version: "1.8.14-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/XSelectInput"
---

# XSelectInput(3)

select input events

## NAME

XSelectInput - select input events

## SYNTAX

int XSelectInput(Display \**display*, Window *w*, long *event\_mask*);

## ARGUMENTS

- *display*

  Specifies the connection to the X server.

- *event\_mask*

  Specifies the event mask.

- *w*

  Specifies the window whose events you are interested in.

## DESCRIPTION

The **XSelectInput** function requests that the X server report the events associated with the specified event mask. Initially, X will not report any of these events. Events are reported relative to a window. If a window is not interested in a device event, it usually propagates to the closest ancestor that is interested, unless the do\_not\_propagate mask prohibits it.

Setting the event-mask attribute of a window overrides any previous call for the same window but not for other clients. Multiple clients can select for the same events on the same window with the following restrictions:

- •

  Multiple clients can select events on the same window because their event masks are disjoint. When the X server generates an event, it reports it to all interested clients.

- •

  Only one client at a time can select **CirculateRequest**, **ConfigureRequest**, or **MapRequest** events, which are associated with the event mask **SubstructureRedirectMask**.

- •

  Only one client at a time can select a **ResizeRequest** event, which is associated with the event mask **ResizeRedirectMask**.

- •

  Only one client at a time can select a **ButtonPress** event, which is associated with the event mask **ButtonPressMask**.

The server reports the event to all interested clients.

**XSelectInput** can generate a **BadWindow** error.

## DIAGNOSTICS

- **BadWindow**

  A value for a Window argument does not name a defined Window.

## SEE ALSO

*Xlib - C Language X Interface*