NodeIterator.previousNode()

The NodeIterator.previousNode() method returns the previous node in the set represented by the NodeIterator and moves the position of the iterator backwards within the set.

This method returns null when the current node is the first node in the set.

In old browsers, as specified in old versions of the specifications, the method may throws the INVALID_STATE_ERR DOMException if this method is called after the NodeIterator.detach()method. Recent browsers never throw.

Syntax

node = nodeIterator.previousNode();

Example

var nodeIterator = document.createNodeIterator(
    document.body,
    NodeFilter.SHOW_ELEMENT,
    { acceptNode: function(node) { return NodeFilter.FILTER_ACCEPT; } },
    false // this optional argument is not used any more
);
currentNode = nodeIterator.nextNode(); // returns the next node
previousNode = nodeIterator.previousNode(); // same result, since we backtracked to the previous node

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
DOM
The definition of 'NodeIterator.previousNode' in that specification.
Living Standard As detach() is now a no-op method, this method cannot throw anymore.
Document Object Model (DOM) Level 2 Traversal and Range Specification
The definition of 'NodeIterator.previousNode' in that specification.
Obsolete Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
previousNodeChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 3.5IE Full support 9Opera Full support 9Safari Full support 3WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 10.1Safari iOS Full support 3Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support

See also