'Back' browser action in Ruby on Rails

Question

Can the \'Back\' browser functionality be invoked from a Rails \'Back\' link?

Answer 1

This will work similarly as browser back button try this

<%= link_to 'Back', 'javascript:history.go(-1);' %>

Answer 2

Use

<%= link_to 'Back', :back %>

This is specificied in the RDoc here

This generates some Javascript to navigate backward. I've just tested it, and it works.

Answer 3

Pay attention to this comment from the user rthbound! As he notes, link_to with the symbol :back does not always generate a “real” back event as if the user clicked on their browser’s Back button. It can also be a resubmit of the action that loaded the current view.

The documentation for Rails 4.2.6 says this about link_to and the :back symbol:

Using a :back Symbol instead of an options hash will generate a link to the referrer (a JavaScript back link will be used in place of a referrer if none exists).

Answer 4

Using

link_to_function "Back", "history.back()"

seems to be exactly like hitting the back button in the browser. All inputted form data is still there when you get back.