W3cubDocs

DocumentType: before() method

The DocumentType.before() method inserts a set of Node objects or strings in the children list of the DocumentType's parent, just before the DocumentType. Strings are inserted as equivalent Text nodes.

Syntax

before(param1)
before(param1, param2)
before(param1, param2, /* …, */ paramN)

Parameters

param1, …, paramN: A set of Node objects or strings to insert.

Return value

None (undefined).

Exceptions

HierarchyRequestError DOMException: Thrown when the node cannot be inserted at the specified point in the hierarchy.

Examples

Adding a conditional comment

Comment nodes are valid before doctype declarations but not advisable given they trigger quirks mode in IE. A conditional comment works for IE as well, though:

let docType = document.implementation.createDocumentType("html", "", "");
let myDoc = document.implementation.createDocument("", "", docType);

docType.before(
  document.createComment("<!--[if !IE]> conditional comment <![endif]-->"),
);

myDoc.childNodes;
// NodeList [<!--[if !IE]> conditional comment <![endif]-->, <!DOCTYPE html>]

Specifications

Specification
DOM Standard # ref-for-dom-childnode-before①

Browser compatibility

	Desktop						Mobile
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	WebView Android	Chrome Android	Firefox for Android	Opera Android	Safari on IOS	Samsung Internet
`before`	54	17	49	No	39	10	54	54	49	41	10	6.0