smoothScrollTo

SmoothScrollTo is a function or method used in graphical user interfaces to move a scrollable container to a specified position with a smooth animated transition, as opposed to an abrupt jump. It is commonly implemented to improve user experience by guiding attention or revealing content gradually.

In web technologies, smooth scrolling can be achieved with native APIs or polyfills. Modern browsers support window.scrollTo and element.scrollTo with a behavior option, for example scrolling to specific left and top coordinates with behavior: 'smooth'. Some environments also offer scrollIntoView with smooth behavior. Older browsers may require JavaScript libraries or custom animation logic. CSS alone can enable smooth in-page navigation by applying scroll-behavior: smooth to the document or specific containers, though this is limited to certain navigation scenarios.

Parameters and variants vary by implementation. A typical smoothScrollTo accepts coordinates (targetX, targetY) or a target element, and may also expose options such as duration, easing function, container element, offset, and a completion callback. Custom implementations often rely on requestAnimationFrame to interpolate between the current and target scroll positions using an easing curve, and may need to handle interruptions from user input or layout changes.

Implementation considerations include accessibility and performance. Respecting reduced motion preferences, canceling on user interaction, and ensuring compatibility with scroll snapping are common concerns. In practice, developers choose native smooth scrolling for simplicity and consistency, or implement custom animations for greater control over timing, easing, and cross-browser behavior.

See also: scroll-behavior, scrollTo, scrollIntoView, polyfill.