# _root

#### Availability

Macromedia Flash 5.

#### Usage

    _root.movieClip
    _root.action
    _root.property

#### Parameters

`movieClip` The instance name of a movie clip.

`action` An action or method.

`property` A property of the MovieClip object.

#### Description

Property; specifies or returns a reference to the root movie Timeline. If a movie has multiple levels, the root movie Timeline is on the level containing the currently executing script. For example, if a script in level 1 evaluates `_root`, `_level1` is returned.

Specifying `_root` is the same as using the slash notation (`/`) to specify an absolute path within the current level.

Note: If a document containing _root is loaded into another document, _root refers to the Timeline of the loading document, not to the Timeline containing _root.

#### Example

The following example stops the Timeline of the level containing the currently executing script:

    _root.stop();

The following example sends the Timeline in the current level to Frame 3:

    _root.gotoAndStop(3);

#### See also

`_parent`, `targetPath`