Today we are looking into updating the URL without a refresh. We can access and modify the URL states using the History API.
The cool part is it has superb browser support!
JavaScript History API
The history API is a set of methods used to manipulate history. For instance, we can go forward and backward, just like clicking the buttons in your browser.
Also, check out this article about other History API methods
JavaScript history.pushState
Today’s focus is on the method called pushState(). We can use this method to push a new entry into the browser’s history. It doesn’t need a refresh and will show the new URL in the browser.
The history.pushState() method accepts three arguments:
state: This is an object with details about theURL.title: The title (usually the<title>attribute).url: You see the actualURLin your browser bar.
In code, it would look like this:
history.pushState({ pageID: 'unicorn' }, 'Unicorn', '/unicorn');
You can open up the console and paste the above code into it. And you should see the URL change.
Also, note we tell it the title, but it is not reflected anywhere. I’m not 100% sure why we even have the title option.
Browser Support
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