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web api instance method

Element: before() method

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The Element.before() method inserts a set of Node objects or strings in the children list of this Element’s parent, just before this Element. Strings are inserted as equivalent Text nodes.

Syntax

before(param1)
before(param1, param2)
before(param1, param2, /* …, */ paramN)

Parameters

  • param1, …, paramN
    • : A set of Node objects or strings to insert.

Return value

None (undefined).

Exceptions

  • HierarchyRequestError DOMException
    • : Thrown when the node cannot be inserted at the specified point in the hierarchy.

Examples

Inserting an element

let container = document.createElement("div");
let p = document.createElement("p");
container.appendChild(p);
let span = document.createElement("span");

p.before(span);

console.log(container.outerHTML);
// "<div><span></span><p></p></div>"

Inserting text

let container = document.createElement("div");
let p = document.createElement("p");
container.appendChild(p);

p.before("Text");

console.log(container.outerHTML);
// "<div>Text<p></p></div>"

Inserting an element and text

let container = document.createElement("div");
let p = document.createElement("p");
container.appendChild(p);
let span = document.createElement("span");

p.before(span, "Text");

console.log(container.outerHTML);
// "<div><span></span>Text<p></p></div>"

Specifications

SpecificationsStandards references are available on the canonical MDN page.

Browser compatibility

Browser compatibilityCompatibility data is available on the canonical MDN page.

See also