# pointerY

[Built-ins](README.md)

Canonical ID: `events.pointerY`. Nederlands: `aanwijzerY`.

Returns the **vertical y coordinate**, a position measured in the scene's own units, saved when the current pointer event happened. This is a **snapshot**, not the pointer's live position. Moving the pointer afterwards does not change it.

The same event block can still read this position after waiting or calling a function. A separately queued block, such as a message handler, does not inherit it. Calling outside a pointer-event block or its function calls produces `E4020`. See [press, release, and click positions](../guides/pointer-input.md) for why a release position may be negative.

## Signature

```text
pointerY()
```

## Arguments

This call takes no arguments. Always write the parentheses.

## Return value

`Number`.

## Example

```pliro
# language: en
when pointerClicked("primary"):
    let position = pointerY()
    wait(0.01)
    say position == pointerY()
```

Each accepted click prints `true`, even if the pointer moves during the wait.

## Notes and common mistakes

Use the function name for your source language. Its [canonical ID](../concepts/canonical-identity.md) is a shared documentation label; you do not type that ID as a call. Giving your own variable or function the same name can hide the built-in. Supply the documented [arguments](../concepts/parameters-and-arguments.md) and value types. Pliro reports mismatches when checking can detect them, or when the call runs.

An **event descriptor** selects the event in a top-level `when` header, outside other blocks (`E3201`–`E3203`). A **reporter** is an ordinary function that returns a value, such as `pointerX`; `broadcast` is an ordinary call too. A **handler** is the block reacting to an event. Key and pointer handlers keep a run ready for future input and need [host support](../guides/hosts.md) (`E4019`). Pointer reporters need the current pointer event (`E4020`). The whole run has a shared [event-work limit](../guides/limits.md) (`E4018`). Ordinary setup must finish before handlers get turns. See [event rules](../guides/events.md) and [pointer positions](../guides/pointer-input.md).

## Related entries

[started](started.md) · [after](after.md) · [messageReceived](messageReceived.md) · [keyPressed](keyPressed.md) · [pointerPressed](pointerPressed.md) · [Programming guides](../guides/events.md) · [Host support](../guides/hosts.md) · [Calls and arguments](../syntax/calls.md)