Question

Why this returns [object Object] ??? I want to return #new content in to a alert. (actually i want to append that text to a new div, I can do that if this [object Object] problem resolved)

<script type="text/javascript">
      $(document).ready(function() {
        $.post("post.php", {"test": "hello"}, function(data) {
           var myDiv = $(data).filter("#new");
           alert(myDiv);
        });
      });
</script>

Answer 1

Because myDiv is object you have to access html in it,

use html() function of jquery if you want html,
use text() function of jquery if you want text instead of html

 myDiv.html();

   $(document).ready(function() {
    $.post("post.php", {"test": "hello"}, function(data) {
       var myDiv = $(data).filter("#new");
       alert(myDiv.html());
    });
  });