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onunload (HTML attribute)

Spec
Depr. Version
No HTML 4
Browser support (more…)
IE5.5+ FF1+ SA1.3+ OP9.2+
Full Full Full Full

Syntax

onunload="script"

Description

The onunload event is used to trigger an action once a web page has unloaded (or the browser window has been closed)—effectively, the point at which the visitor to that page has navigated away by following a link, submitting a form, or using some other mechanism that causes a new page to be loaded in its place.

It may also be used in the context of framesets to indicate that the child frame elements have unloaded or been replaced with new documents.

Example

When used as an inline attribute, onunload is most frequently applied to the body element, as shown below:

<body onunload="sayGoodbye();">

Value

This attribute has no fixed value. It’s up to the author to decide on the scripting that’s included here, be that a call to one or more defined functions, or a simple alert() statement.

Compatibility

Internet Explorer Firefox Safari Opera
5.5 6.0 7.0 1.0 1.5 2.0 1.3 2.0 3.0 9.2 9.5
Full Full Full Full Full Full Full Full Full Full Full

Every browser listed supports this attribute. However, it should be avoided as it encourages the mixing of content and behavior.

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