HTML DOM insertBefore Method

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# HTML DOM insertBefore() Method

Element Object

## Example

Insert an item in a list:

document.getElementById("myList").insertBefore(newItem,existingItem);

Before inserting:

- Coffee
- Tea

After inserting:

- Water
- Coffee
- Tea

Try it yourself »

## Definition and Usage

The insertBefore() method inserts a node as a child, right before an existing child, which you specify.

Tip: If you want to create a new list item, with text, remember to create the text as a Text node wich you append to the LI element, then insert the LI to the list.

You can also use the insertBefore method to insert/move an existing element.

## Example

Move a list item from one list to another:

var node=document.getElementById("myList2").lastChild;
var list=document.getElementById("myList1");
list.insertBefore(node,list.childNodes[0]);

Before inserting:

- Coffee
- Tea

- Water
- Milk

After insertBefore:

- Milk
- Coffee
- Tea

- Water

Try it yourself »

The insertBefore() method is supported in all major browsers.

## Syntax

node.insertBefore(newnode,existingnode)

## Parameters

Parameter | Type | Description
--- | --- | ---
newnode | Node object | Required. The node object you want to insert
existingnode | Node object | Optional. The child node you want to insert the new node before. When not specified, the insertBefore method will insert the newnode at the end

## Return Value

Type | Description
--- | ---
Node object | The node you inserted

## Technical Details

DOM Version | Core Level 1 Node Object

Element Object

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