How to call javascript from a href?

Question

How to call javascript from a href?

like:

<a href="<script type='text/javascript'>script code</script>/">Call JavaScript</a>

Answer 1

<a onClick="yourFunction(); return false;" href="fallback.html">One Way</a>

** Edit **
From the flurry of comments, I'm sharing the resources given/found.

Previous SO Q and A's:

• Do you ever need to specify 'javascript:' in an onclick? (and the IE related A's following)
• javascript function in href vs onclick

Interesting reads:

• http://crisp.tweakblogs.net/blog/the-useless-javascript-pseudo-protocol.html
• https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/JavaScript/Reference/Statements/label

Answer 2

<a href="javascript:call_func();">...</a>

where the function then has to return false so that the browser doesn't go to another page.

But I'd recommend to use jQuery (with $(...).click(function () {})))

Answer 3

The proper way to invoke javascript code when clicking a link would be to add an onclick handler:

<a href="#" onclick="myFunction()">LinkText</a>

Although an even "more proper" way would be to get it out of the html all together and add the handler with another javascript when the dom is loaded.

Answer 4

Using JQuery would be good;

<a href="#" id="youLink">Call JavaScript </a>



$("#yourLink").click(function(e){
//do what ever you want...
});

Answer 5

JavaScript code is usually called from the onclick event of a link. For example, you could instead do:

In Head Section of HTML Document

<script type='text/javascript'>
function myFunction(){
//...script code
}
</script>

In Body of HTML Document

<a href="#" id="mylink" onclick="myFunction(); return false">Call JavaScript </a>

Alternatively, you can also attach your function to the link using the links' ID, and HTML DOM or a framework like JQuery.

For example:

In Head Section of HTML Document

<script type='text/javascript'>
document.getElementById("mylink").onclick = function myFunction(){ ...script code};
</script>

In Body of HTML Document

<a href="#" id="mylink">Call JavaScript </a>

Answer 6

I would avoid inline javascript altogether, and as I mentioned in my comment, I'd also probably use <input type="button" /> for this. That being said...

<a href="http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16337937/how-to-call-javascript-from-a-href" id="mylink">Link.</a>

---

var clickHandler = function() {
     alert('Stuff happens now.');   
}


if (document.addEventListener) {
    document.getElementById('mylink').addEventListener('click', clickHandler, false);
} else {
    document.getElementById('mylink').attachEvent('click', clickHandler);
}

---

http://jsfiddle.net/pDp4T/1/

Answer 7

Not sure why this worked for me while nothing else did but just in case anyone else is still looking...

In between head tags:

<script>
     function myFunction() {
           script code
     }
</script>

Then for the < a > tag:

<a href='' onclick='myFunction()' > Call Function </a>

Answer 8

 <a href="javascript:
  console.dir(Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptors(HTMLDivElement))">
       1. Direct Action Without Following href Link
  </a>

<br><br>

  <a href="javascript:my_func('http://diasmath.blogg.org')">
      2. Indirect Action (Function Call) Without Following Normal href Link
  </a>

<br><br>

 <!-- Avec « return false » l'action par défaut de l'élément
 // <a></a> (ouverture de l'URL pointée par
 // « href="http://www.centerblog.net/gha" »)
 // ne s'exécute pas.
 -->
 <a target=_new href="http://www.centerblog.net/gha"
          onclick="my_func('http://diasmath.blogg.org');
 return false">
     3. Suivi par défaut du Lien Normal href Désactivé avec
     « return false »
  </a>

<br><br>

 <!-- Avec ou sans « return true » l'action par défaut de l'élément
 // s'exécute pas.
 -->
 <a target=_new href="http://gha.centerblog.net"
          onclick="my_func('http://diasmath.blogg.org');">
     4. Suivi par défaut du Lien Normal href Conservé avec ou sans
     « return true » qui est la valeur retournée par défaut.
  </a>

<br><br>

<!-- Le diese tout seul ne suit pas le lien href. -->
  <a href="#" onclick="my_func('http://diasmath.blogg.org')">
      5. Lien Dièse en Singleton (pas de suivi href)
  </a>

  <script language="JavaScript">
   function my_func(s) {
       console.dir(Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptors(Document));
       window.open(s)
   }
  </script>

<br>
<br>

 <!-- Avec GESTION D'ÉVÉNEMENT.
 // Événement (event) = click du lien
 // Event Listener = "click"
 // my_func2 = gestionnaire d'événement
 -->
  <script language="JavaScript">
   function my_func2(event) {
      console.dir(event);
      window.open(event.originalTarget["href"])
   }
  </script>
 <a target=_blank href="http://dmedit.centerblog.net"
     id="newel" onclick="return false">
     6. By specifying another eventlistener
     (and deactivating the default).
  </a>
  <script language="JavaScript">
      let a=document.getElementById("newel");
      a.addEventListener("click",my_func2)
  </script>

Answer 9

If you only want to process a function and not process the href it self, add the return false statement at the end of your function:

 <a href="#" onclick="javascript: function() {... ; return false} return false">click</>

Answer 10

another way is :

<a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="alert('testing')">

Answer 11

Edit This will create a link with Edit after clicking on editing a function name as edit will be called.