How to convert URL aliases back to node ID

Question

I wonder how to convert a URL path back to it's own node (node/nid). I wish to get the original node ID from a given path. e.g.

path = "news/my-news"

..and trace it back to get it's own original URL, e.g. 65. Please advise. Thanks.

Answer 1

GokulNK has already given the answer to use drupal_get_normal_path(). If you are working on any path alias that is different than the current path, use that.

If you want to get the non-aliased path of the current page/path, simply use $_GET['q']. Drupal path aliases are mod_rewrites but you still can find the internal path from $_GET['q']. For node paths or any structured paths and if you want to get the node ID or something, now don't explode('/', $_GET['q']) :)

Meet arg().

• Aliased path: content/my-new-page
• $_GET['q']: node/69
• arg(0) = node
• arg(1) = 69
• drupal_get_normal_path('content/my-new-page') (Probably require some db trips unless cached)

Answer 2

You can use drupal_get_normal_path function.

Return value

The internal path represented by the alias, or the original alias if no internal path was found.

Answer 3

All the URl path are stored in database so you can configure it in admin/config/search/path whether your are using pathauto or writing your own url alises. Deleting from admin setting may convert a URL path back to it's own node (node/nid).