# Using the 'parent' property

**URL:** https://forum.kirupa.com/t/using-the-parent-property/226115
**Category:** Uncategorized
**Created:** [May 18, 2007, 7:00am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/using-the-parent-property/226115 "2007-05-18T07:00:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Dysfunctional](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/dysfunctional/32/2561_2.png) [@Dysfunctional](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Dysfunctional)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2007, 7:00am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/using-the-parent-property/226115/1 "2007-05-18T07:00:09Z")

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Hey, I’m having some problems converting my AS2 code to AS3. I think i’ve pretty much go it all sussed except for this one problem: and i would think it’s a very simple one, but alas…

From inside a symbol, i want to change the location of a MC on the main timeline.

So logically i would think that the code would be:

[COLOR=Blue]parent[/COLOR].my\_MC.[COLOR=Blue]y[/COLOR] = 20;

but this gives a compile error of:

[COLOR=Red]1119: Access of possibly undefined property my\_MC through a reference with static type flash.display:DisplayObjectContainer.parent.my\_MC.y = 20;[/COLOR]

I’m sure i’m missing something obvious, but seeing it’s 5:00pm on Friday arvo my brain has already switched off :ponder:.

Any ideas?