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web api instance method

History: back() method

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The back() method of the History interface causes the browser to move back one page in the session history.

It has the same effect as calling history.go(-1). If there is no previous page, this method call does nothing.

This method is asynchronous. Add a listener for the popstate event in order to determine when the navigation has completed.

Syntax

back()

Parameters

None.

Return value

None (undefined).

Exceptions

  • SecurityError DOMException
    • : Thrown if the associated document is not fully active. Browsers also throttle navigations and may throw this error, generate a warning, or ignore the call if it’s called too frequently.

Examples

The following short example causes a button on the page to navigate back one entry in the session history.

HTML

<button id="go-back">Go back!</button>

JavaScript

document.getElementById("go-back").addEventListener("click", () => {
  history.back();
});

Specifications

SpecificationsStandards references are available on the canonical MDN page.

Browser compatibility

Browser compatibilityCompatibility data is available on the canonical MDN page.

See also