jQuery & jQuery UI Documentation

jQuery & jQuery UI

.unload()

.unload( handler(eventObject) ) Returns: jQuery

Description: Bind an event handler to the "unload" JavaScript event.

  • version added: 1.0.unload( handler(eventObject) )

    handler(eventObject)A function to execute when the event is triggered.

  • version added: 1.4.3.unload( [eventData], handler(eventObject) )

    eventDataA map of data that will be passed to the event handler.

    handler(eventObject)A function to execute each time the event is triggered.

This method is a shortcut for .bind('unload', handler).

The unload event is sent to the window element when the user navigates away from the page. This could mean one of many things. The user could have clicked on a link to leave the page, or typed in a new URL in the address bar. The forward and back buttons will trigger the event. Closing the browser window will cause the event to be triggered. Even a page reload will first create an unload event.

The exact handling of the unload event has varied from version to version of browsers. For example, some versions of Firefox trigger the event when a link is followed, but not when the window is closed. In practical usage, behavior should be tested on all supported browsers, and contrasted with the proprietary beforeunload event.

Any unload event handler should be bound to the window object:

$(window).unload(function() {
  alert('Handler for .unload() called.');
});

After this code executes, the alert will be displayed whenever the browser leaves the current page. It is not possible to cancel the unload event with .preventDefault(). This event is available so that scripts can perform cleanup when the user leaves the page.

Example:

To display an alert when a page is unloaded:

$(window).unload( function () { alert("Bye now!"); } );