Using Javascript to scroll to specific html element

Hi,

I am trying to implement unique URLs in my ajax application and so far so good.
Unfortunately, since the technique uses the fragment identifier '#' in the URL, I can no longer use it jumping to anchors.
(btw, The technique I'm using is actually just the new HistoryPoint feature in ASP.NET 3.5)

So I need to simulate the action of jumping to an anchor.
Lets say I have an element somewhere down the html page (a table cell for instance), and I have its id.
The browser obviously knows how to jump to an anchor, so how can i do it via javascript without actually using a fragment identifier.
(I've already tried to see whether i could retrieve the absolute pixel position of the element and then scroll to te appropriate place, but there is no such method for retrieving absolute pixel position).

JavaScriptAJAXASP.NET

Last Comment

Michel Plungjan

8/22/2022 - Mon

mr_egyptian

3/15/2009

You could use a function similar to the following. Just pass an id.

  function jumpto(id){
      if((obj = document.getElementById(id)) && obj != null){
          window.scrollTo(0, obj.offsetTop);
      }
  }

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Michel Plungjan

3/16/2009

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uhm179

3/16/2009

ASKER

@mr egyptian
Couldn't get your thingy to work. It just jumped to the top of the page. But I'm sure offsetTop will come in handy, once I get the hang of it.

@mplungian
Perfect. For those that want to use the function too, note that it works in IE, FF, Safari and Opera, BUT you must supply the boolean parameter, because for instance, Safari doesn't support the parameter-less version, according to this forum thread:

http://help.wugnet.com/bravenet/webmaster/replacement-scrollIntoView-method-Mozilla-ftopict33825.html

Thx

uhm179

3/16/2009

ASKER

The parameter-less scrollintoview isn't supported by some browsers, buts otherwise, great.

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William Peck

Michel Plungjan

3/16/2009

If perfect, then an "A" grade should be in order, no?

uhm179

3/16/2009

ASKER

Well, I had to dig some stuff up myself about browser compatibility. Had you pointed out that there are browser compatibility issues and how to avoid them, I would've given an 'A' grade. Had I not checked myself just-in-case, it would have sent me on a wild bug-hunt.

So I only meant perfect in the sense that the scrollIntoView method was what I was looking for.

Michel Plungjan

3/16/2009

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