# Is element-ui ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> element-ui@2.15.14 declares a CommonJS entry, but require() fails at runtime. CommonJS on paper — require() failed in our runtime test.

A Component Library for Vue.js.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against element-ui@2.15.14.

element-ui declares a CommonJS entry only, but require("element-ui") failed on every Node.js version in our probe: ReferenceError: document is not defined. import "element-ui" resolves to the same file, so it fails the same way. That usually means a missing peer dependency, a browser-only global, or a package that is not meant to be loaded directly; see the runtime table below.

## What to do

1. require("element-ui") failed in our probe on every Node.js version (ReferenceError: document is not defined); check the package README for peer dependencies or setup before relying on it.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import elementUi from "element-ui"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 2.15.14 (Aug 24, 2023)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.15.14
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 105K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for element-ui@2.15.14

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("element-ui") from a CommonJS file and import "element-ui" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("element-ui") | import "element-ui" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 20 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 22 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 24 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 26 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Bun 1.4.0 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |

## How to import element-ui

ES modules:

```js
import elementUi from "element-ui";
```

CommonJS:

```js
// require("element-ui") failed in our probe on every Node.js version we test (ReferenceError: document is not defined); see the runtime table.
const elementUi = require("element-ui");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (147 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3.5 – 2.15.14 | CommonJS | Apr 20, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is element-ui ESM-only?**

element-ui@2.15.14 declares a CommonJS entry, but require() fails at runtime. element-ui declares a CommonJS entry only, but require("element-ui") failed on every Node.js version in our probe: ReferenceError: document is not defined. import "element-ui" resolves to the same file, so it fails the same way. That usually means a missing peer dependency, a browser-only global, or a package that is not meant to be loaded directly; see the runtime table below.

**Can I require element-ui?**

Not in practice. element-ui declares a CommonJS entry, but require("element-ui") failed on every Node.js version in our probe: ReferenceError: document is not defined. Check the package README for peer dependencies or setup before relying on it.

**Can I import element-ui with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import elementUi from "element-ui" works in Node.js and Bun because they support importing CommonJS modules. Named imports work only when Node.js can statically detect the exports.

**Does element-ui work in Bun?**

Importing element-ui failed in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026: ReferenceError: document is not defined

**Does element-ui ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. element-ui bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [element-ui on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/element-ui)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/ElemeFE/element)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/element-ui/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/element-ui.json)

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