new problem. document.getElementById().width returning unassigned. why?

[sanchopansa]

Here is my js function:

function setNewsPosition()
{
position=document.getElementById("image_1").width;//returns value
newsWidth= document.getElementById("news").width;//returns unassigned
alert(position);
var news= document.getElementById("news");
news.style.left= position + newsWidth + 'px';
}

Here is the css part that concerns the function:

div#news
{
float:left;
width:25%;
margin-left:-25%;
background:#0099cc;
}

I first thought it is because of the percentage value, but I've switched to px and it still returned unassigned. Does anyone have a suggestion why this might be and how it could be fixed.

Greetings,
Valentin

[ukgeoff]

You can easily test what I am about to say for yourself, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that, where elements are concerned, for some reason, JavaScript will only return a width that was previously set using script.

Let us know how you get on.

[sanchopansa]

I solved the problem.
I just used offsetWidth instead of width and it worked out fine.
Thanks for your help.
V