Next.js
Next.js Router.push: Prevent Page Scroll to Top
Learn how to navigate between pages in your Next.js application using router.push without triggering a scroll to the top of the page.
Learn how to navigate between pages in your Next.js application using router.push without triggering a scroll to the top of the page.
In Next.js, navigating between pages using router.push typically results in the page scrolling to the top. While this is the default and often desired behavior, there are situations where you might prefer to preserve the user's scroll position, especially when dealing with query parameters or in-page navigation. This article will guide you through techniques to prevent this automatic scroll-to-top behavior and maintain scroll position in your Next.js applications.
By default, Next.js scrolls to the top of the page when you navigate between routes using router.push. This behavior is often desired, but there are cases where you might want to maintain the scroll position, especially when dealing with query parameters or in-page navigation.
Here's a breakdown of how to prevent scrolling to the top and maintain scroll position in Next.js:
1. Disabling Scroll to Top with scroll: false
The simplest way to prevent the default scroll-to-top behavior is by using the scroll: false option with router.push.
import { useRouter } from 'next/router';
const MyComponent = () => {
const router = useRouter();
const handleClick = () => {
router.push('/new-page', undefined, { scroll: false });
};
return (
<button onClick={handleClick}>Go to New Page</button>
);
};Important: This approach might not work reliably in all scenarios, especially with shallow routing or when using the "app" directory in Next.js 13 and above.
2. Manually Managing Scroll Position
For more control, especially when dealing with scenarios where scroll: false doesn't work as expected, you can manually manage the scroll position.
import { useEffect } from 'react';
import { useRouter } from 'next/router';
const MyComponent = () => {
const router = useRouter();
useEffect(() => {
const handleRouteChange = (url) => {
// Logic to determine if you want to maintain scroll position
// For example, check if the query parameters have changed
if (// condition to check for query parameter change) {
// Get the current scroll position
const scrollY = window.scrollY;
// Store the scroll position (e.g., in sessionStorage)
sessionStorage.setItem('scrollY', scrollY);
}
};
const handleRouteChangeComplete = () => {
// Retrieve the stored scroll position
const savedScrollY = sessionStorage.getItem('scrollY');
// If a scroll position was stored, scroll to it
if (savedScrollY) {
window.scrollTo(0, parseInt(savedScrollY, 10));
sessionStorage.removeItem('scrollY');
}
};
router.events.on('routeChangeStart', handleRouteChange);
router.events.on('routeChangeComplete', handleRouteChangeComplete);
// Cleanup: Remove event listeners when the component unmounts
return () => {
router.events.off('routeChangeStart', handleRouteChange);
router.events.off('routeChangeComplete', handleRouteChangeComplete);
};
}, []);
// ... rest of your component
};Explanation:
useEffect: We use the useEffect hook to run code after the component renders and to clean up on unmount.router.events: We listen for routeChangeStart and routeChangeComplete events to manage scroll position before and after navigation.sessionStorage or any other suitable storage mechanism.window.scrollTo to restore it.Key Points:
scroll: false for simple cases. Opt for manual scroll management for more complex scenarios or when scroll: false doesn't work as expected.This React code implements a search component with scroll position restoration. It uses Next.js Router to manage search queries and URL updates. The handleSearch function updates the URL with the search query and prevents default scrolling to the top. The useEffect hook handles route changes, saving and restoring scroll position using sessionStorage when navigating within the search route. This ensures a smooth user experience by preserving scroll position even when query parameters change.
import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
import { useRouter } from 'next/router';
const MyComponent = () => {
const router = useRouter();
const [showResults, setShowResults] = useState(false);
// Function to handle search and update query parameter
const handleSearch = (query) => {
router.push({
pathname: '/search',
query: { q: query },
}, undefined, { scroll: false }); // Prevent scroll to top
setShowResults(true);
};
// Manually manage scroll position on route change
useEffect(() => {
const handleRouteChange = (url) => {
// Check if navigating to the same page with different query parameters
if (url.includes('/search') && router.asPath.includes('/search')) {
// Get current scroll position
const scrollY = window.scrollY;
sessionStorage.setItem('scrollY', scrollY);
}
};
const handleRouteChangeComplete = () => {
const savedScrollY = sessionStorage.getItem('scrollY');
if (savedScrollY) {
window.scrollTo(0, parseInt(savedScrollY, 10));
sessionStorage.removeItem('scrollY');
}
};
router.events.on('routeChangeStart', handleRouteChange);
router.events.on('routeChangeComplete', handleRouteChangeComplete);
return () => {
router.events.off('routeChangeStart', handleRouteChange);
router.events.off('routeChangeComplete', handleRouteChangeComplete);
};
}, []);
return (
<div>
{/* Search Input */}
<input
type="text"
placeholder="Search..."
onChange={(e) => handleSearch(e.target.value)}
/>
{/* Display Search Results */}
{showResults && (
<div>
{/* ... Your search results component ... */}
</div>
)}
</div>
);
};
export default MyComponent;Explanation:
Search Functionality:
handleSearch function updates the URL with the search query using router.push.scroll: false is used to prevent the page from scrolling to the top when the search query changes.setShowResults(true) is used to conditionally render the search results component.Scroll Position Management:
useEffect hook sets up event listeners for routeChangeStart and routeChangeComplete.handleRouteChange:
/search route (using url.includes and router.asPath).sessionStorage.handleRouteChangeComplete:
sessionStorage.window.scrollTo.sessionStorage.How it Works:
This example demonstrates a practical use case for maintaining scroll position in Next.js when dealing with query parameters and client-side navigation.
Beyond the Basics:
window.location.hash to get and set the hash and scroll to the corresponding element on the page.sessionStorage: While sessionStorage is a common choice, you can explore other storage options like localStorage (for persistence across sessions) or in-memory solutions depending on your specific needs.Troubleshooting:
scroll: false Not Working: This can happen in situations like nested layouts or when using the "app" directory in Next.js 13+. In such cases, manual scroll management is usually the more reliable approach.Best Practices:
This table summarizes methods to maintain scroll position when navigating between routes in Next.js:
| Method | Description | Use Cases | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
scroll: false |
Pass scroll: false as an option to router.push. |
Simple navigation, when you want to completely disable scroll-to-top. | Easy to implement. | Might not work reliably with shallow routing or the "app" directory in Next.js 13+. |
| Manual Scroll Management | Use useEffect and router.events to listen for route changes, store scroll position before navigation, and restore it after. |
Complex scenarios, when scroll: false is insufficient, or when you need fine-grained control over scroll behavior. |
Provides more control and flexibility. | More complex to implement. Requires choosing a storage mechanism for scroll position. |
Key Considerations:
By understanding the default scroll-to-top behavior in Next.js and employing techniques like using scroll: false or manually managing scroll position with useEffect and router.events, you can create a smoother and more user-friendly experience in your applications. Remember to carefully consider when maintaining scroll position is beneficial and prioritize clear, well-tested code for a seamless user journey.
router.push(href) in app directory? : r/nextjs | Posted by u/ozahid89 - 3 votes and 7 comments
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