The invention discloses a method for detecting element content by using the scanning channel of an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The method comprises the following steps: step 1, establishment of a standard curve; step 2, analysis of production samples; step 3, data compensation and correction; and step 4, analysis of a to-be-detected sample. The method provided by the invention develops the detection function of quantitative analysis of the scanning channel on the basis of reservation of the original semiqualitative-semiquantitative detection function of the scanning channel; and since the deviation values of the production samples are analyzed and a compensation coefficient is set according to the deviation values so as to realize data compensation and correction of the to-be-detected sample, the problem that the scanning channel has low detection strength is overcome, and the scanning channel with only a semiquantitative function is allowed to have same functions as a fixed channel and to replace the functions of the fixed channel.