# Calling root functions from a nested movieclip

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/calling-root-functions-from-a-nested-movieclip/229325>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [June 15, 2007, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/calling-root-functions-from-a-nested-movieclip/229325 "2007-06-15T22:20:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![greggreg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6a8cbe/32.png) [@greggreg](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/greggreg)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/calling-root-functions-from-a-nested-movieclip/229325/1 "2007-06-15T22:20:45Z")

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So i’m having a tiny bit of trouble adjusting to as3. i cant seem to call functions written on the root timeline from any nested movie clips.

for example:

on frame1 of the root timeline i write a simple function:

**function greet(){  
trace(“hello”);  
}**

i then create a movie clip and put it on the stage. on its first frame i call the previous function like so:

**root.greet()**

but instead of getting traced “hello” i get this compile error:

[COLOR=#ff0000]1061: Call to a possibly undefined method changeActiveFrame through a reference with static type flash.display: DisplayObject.[/COLOR]

now, i somewhat understand whats going on, but i have no idea how to fix it. searching for this specific error yields a bunch of unrelated flex problems.

any help would be wonderful, thanks!