How to Fix the Issue of Anchor Links Not Scrolling on Multiple Clicks
Learn how to resolve the common issue where clicking an `anchor link` in HTML only scrolls correctly the first time. This blog offers a simple solution and code snippet to ensure smooth navigation every time.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/70253046/ asked by the user 'Marc' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/14050464/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/70253217/ provided by the user 'Martin van Soest' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/16992531/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.
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Understanding Anchor Links and the Scrolling Issue
Anchor links are frequently used in web development to allow users to navigate easily within a webpage. These links direct users to specific sections of the page by using a fragment identifier, typically the id or name attributes of an element. However, web developers often encounter a frustrating problem: clicking the same anchor link multiple times fails to scroll to the desired section after the first click. What causes this behavior, and how can it be fixed?
The Problem Explained
When an anchor link is clicked, it updates the URL's hash to point to the element's ID. For instance, clicking a link that points to -anchor01 will scroll the page down to the element with id="anchor01". However, if the link is clicked again without navigating away from or refreshing the page, the hash remains unchanged. As a result, the browser doesn’t execute the scroll action a second time since it perceives that there is no change in the hash.
Solution: Using JavaScript to Force Scroll
The solution to allow repeated scrolling to the same anchor is to programmatically call the scroll action every time the link is clicked. This can be accomplished using JavaScript's scrollIntoView() method, which instructs the browser to bring the specified element into the viewport. Here's how to do that efficiently.
Step-by-Step Guide to Implement the Solution
Identify Your Anchor Elements: Make sure each anchor link in your HTML has a corresponding element with an identifiable id attribute.
Modify the HTML Code: Instead of changing the location hash directly, call a JavaScript function that will scroll to the target element.
Here is a revised snippet of the HTML code demonstrating how to achieve this:
[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]
Create the JavaScript Function: Add the following function to your script to handle the scroll action.
[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]
Explanation of the JavaScript Function
Function Name: The scrollToAnchor function takes one parameter: anchorId, which corresponds to the ID of the target element.
Element Selection: document.getElementById(anchorId) retrieves the element matching the ID.
Scrolling Action: The scrollIntoView() method is invoked on this element, allowing for smooth scrolling behavior, improving user experience.
Conclusion
By using this method, you can ensure that clicking the same anchor link multiple times will consistently scroll to the corresponding section on your page. This small change can significantly enhance navigation and make your website more user-friendly. If you're facing this anchor link issue, implement the solutions provided in this post, and enjoy seamless scrolling for your users!
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