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JavaScript Window History


The window.history object contains the browsers history.


Window History

The window.history object can be written without the window prefix.

To protect the privacy of the users, there are limitations to how JavaScript can access this object.

Some methods:

  • history.back() - same as clicking back in the browser
  • history.forward() - same as clicking forward in the browser

Window History Back

The history.back() method loads the previous URL in the history list.

This is the same as clicking the Back button in the browser.

Example

Create a back button on a page:

<html>
<head>
<script>
function goBack() {
    window.history.back()
}
</script>
</head>
<body>

<input type="button" value="Back" onclick="goBack()">

</body>
</html>

The output of the code above will be:


Window History Forward

The history forward() method loads the next URL in the history list.

This is the same as clicking the Forward button in the browser.

Example

Create a forward button on a page:

<html>
<head>
<script>
function goForward() {
    window.history.forward()
}
</script>
</head>
<body>

<input type="button" value="Forward" onclick="goForward()">

</body>
</html>

The output of the code above will be: