javascript - cannot change <label> text color -

my research base html dom element says dom element's "style" property (from http://www.w3schools.com/jsref/dom_obj_all.asp):

   "style --    sets or returns style attribute of element" 

the 'label' tag dom element. , has 'style' property. points out on w3schools link above, dom elements have 'style' property.

and in fact, here i'm setting (inline) 'style' property label tag -- , works fine:

    <label for="itemimageid" style="color: gray" id="labelforimageuploadid">item image</label> 

the label text color gray @ page load time.

under condition (user has indicated they're ready select image upload) -- need show upload 'enabled' changing initial gray text color of above black.

do know use css class label's text color , use 'classname' property dynamically alter css class of above? bet do. tonight though i'm holding dom element's feet fire. have 1 'style' attribute change (text color) , don't want add class -- i'm trying here should work according docs.

i want know why can't use 'style' property dom says can -- "get" , "set" dom element's properties.

here i'm "set"-ing 'style' property of -- nothing -- label text remains gray:

    document.getelementbyid('labelforimageuploadid').style = "color: rgb(0,0,0)"; 

nor change color gray black:

    document.getelementbyid('labelforimageuploadid').style = "color: black"; 

the above code executes (in javascript) after label visible on page, , in response onclick event of button on form label part of.

is there bug in ability "set" dom element's 'style' property? according http://www.w3schools.com/jsref/dom_obj_all.asp,

   "htmlelement object      following properties, , methods can used on html elements."          (other properties here.....)    "style --    sets or returns style attribute of element"        (still other properties here......) 

so why can't change element's 'style' property in code above?

^{upon reviewing answer in 2017, original example of setting whole style string work correctly. don't know problem was, examples below still valid approaches.}

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setting style javascript follows following format:

document.getelementbyid("abc").style.[css property name in camel case] = "[value]"; 

• basic example
• event-triggered example

if using jquery, becomes bit cleaner:

// find elements tag name "bar" direct  // descendants of element class name "foo" $(".foo > bar").css("color", "red");  // set multiple properties $(".foo > bar").css({ color: "red", "background-color": "beige" });