How To Remove Hash From Url In Javascript

In the realm of web development, manipulating URLs is a common task that developers encounter frequently. One particular operation that often arises is the need to remove the hash portion from a URL using JavaScript. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this process, providing a step-by-step guide along with multiple code examples for clarity and understanding.

Understanding the Hash in URLs

Before we proceed to remove the hash from a URL, it’s essential to understand what the hash symbol (#) signifies in a web address. The hash, also known as the fragment identifier, is used to navigate to specific sections within a webpage. When a URL contains a hash, the browser automatically scrolls to the corresponding element with an ID matching the hash value.

Steps to Remove Hash from URL

To remove the hash portion from a URL using JavaScript, we can leverage the power of the window.location object. Follow these steps to achieve this:

1. Accessing the Current URL: Obtain the current URL of the webpage using window.location.href.
2. Extracting the URL without Hash: Use string manipulation methods to extract the URL without the hash portion.
3. Updating the URL: Finally, update the browser’s address bar with the modified URL.

Let’s illustrate these steps with a practical code snippet:

// Obtain current URL
const currentURL = window.location.href;

// Remove hash from URL
const urlWithoutHash = currentURL.split('#')[0];

// Update address bar
window.history.replaceState({}, document.title, urlWithoutHash);

In the above code snippet:

• We first retrieve the current URL.
• Next, we split the URL at the hash symbol (#) to remove everything after it.
• Finally, we use window.history.replaceState() to update the URL without triggering a page reload.

Example Usage

Suppose we have a webpage with the following URL: https://www.example.com/page#section. By applying the above code snippet, the URL will be modified to https://www.example.com/page, effectively removing the hash segment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, removing the hash from a URL in JavaScript is a straightforward process that involves accessing the current URL, extracting the desired portion, and updating the browser’s address bar accordingly. By following the steps outlined in this guide and utilizing the provided code snippet, you can seamlessly remove hash fragments from URLs in your web projects.