Is there a way to restore backspace button function in the newest version of Firefox, so when pressing it the previous page opened?
This function was very helpful for me!
To prevent user data loss when filling out forms, we’ve disabled the Backspace key as a navigation shortcut for the back navigation button. To re-enable the Backspace keyboard shortcut, you can change the about:config preference browser.backspace_action to 0. You can also use the recommended Alt + Left arrow (Command + Left arrow on Mac) shortcut instead.
The better UX could have been making this a regular option, and (by default) showing a warning dialogue if using backspace to navigate would clear out a form.
Haven’t done much web UI, but I’m guessing that are too many way to skin the “form” cat to account for.
In any case, first time I’ve read any reasoning on removing it. Chrome killed it long ago and I was using an extension to re-enable it. Probably could have done as I just did in Firefox, fiddle with the config.
Form and input elements are a very standard thing, and while you can certainly do crazy stuff with it, even a simple check if you typed into an input/textarea, or changed a select without submitting the form element, should be sufficient.
I guess the problem might be detecting the submission (because oftentimes there’s custom logic for that) but maybe better just display the warning than lose data. Worst case you’ll just ignore it, best case the devs fix it so that it doesn’t show up when it shouldn’t.
LOL, nailed it.
I’m still bitter about browsers removing backspace for previous page. How was that hard to maintain?!
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1336330
I understand the reasoning, but I really wish Firefox had configurable keyboard shortcuts.
heck, everything should have configurable shortcuts. It’s an accessibility feature with an obvious curb cut effect.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/shortkeys/
Please add your voice to these discussions
https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/hotkeys-yes-please/m-p/86441/
https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/customizable-hotkeys/idc-p/85695/
NICE! Now I’ve lost my muscle memory for that key, but I’m back (heh) baby!
The better UX could have been making this a regular option, and (by default) showing a warning dialogue if using backspace to navigate would clear out a form.
Haven’t done much web UI, but I’m guessing that are too many way to skin the “form” cat to account for.
In any case, first time I’ve read any reasoning on removing it. Chrome killed it long ago and I was using an extension to re-enable it. Probably could have done as I just did in Firefox, fiddle with the config.
Form and input elements are a very standard thing, and while you can certainly do crazy stuff with it, even a simple check if you typed into an input/textarea, or changed a select without submitting the form element, should be sufficient.
I guess the problem might be detecting the submission (because oftentimes there’s custom logic for that) but maybe better just display the warning than lose data. Worst case you’ll just ignore it, best case the devs fix it so that it doesn’t show up when it shouldn’t.