Calling JS functions from links in IE?

Question

If I have a function like this:

function foo() { //... return false; }

I can call it like this:

<a href="#" onClick="foo()">Run Foo</a>

However, in all browsers, this puts an # in the URL which I do not want.

So instead I do this:

<a href="javascript:foo()">Run Foo</a>

Which works fine in chrome but in IE it loads a page containing the string false.

Whats the best practice here?

Walter Rumsby · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-26 19:07:16Z

3

You don't need the javascript: protocol.

<a href="#" onclick="foo(); return false">Run Foo</a>

is all you need.

answered Aug 26, 2010 at 19:07

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Comments

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-20 09:12:55Z

Like @wrumbsy says...

You don't need the javascript: protocol.

<a href="#" onclick="foo(); return false">Run Foo</a>

... but this means you don't need an anchor <a> either. Only use anchors for hyperlinks; not for JS-enhanced interactivity.

A span will work just as well, with cursor:pointer; CSS property:

<span style="cursor:pointer;" onclick="foo(); return false">Run Foo</span>

How so? I'd say, yes, Google does, but that's exactly why you wouldn't want to use an anchor.
@John Isaacks - ... but it's less relevant for SEO and more relevant to accessibility.