Prevent window.open from focusing

Question

I want to open a page in a new tab in Google Chrome with window.open(), but I don't want that window to gain focus after it's opened, but to stay in the background.

Is this possible? It only has to work on Google Chrome. It can also use the Google Chrome extension API.

Thanks

Answer 1

The proper way would be to use extension API:

chrome.tabs.create({url: "http://...", selected: false});

Code should be placed in a background page. If you need it inside a content script you can pass a message to a background page, like so:

//content script
chrome.runtime.sendMessage({link: link});

//background page
chrome.runtime.onMessage.addListener(function(message, sender, sendResponse) {
    if(message.link) {
        chrome.tabs.create({url: message.link, selected: false});
    }
});

Answer 2

window.open(url, name, features);
window.focus();

You will see the new window for a short moment though.

Answer 3

There is a way out in all the browser

function openURL(url, opt){
  if (opt == 0){ // current window
    window.location = url;
  }else if (opt == 1){ // new window
    window.open(url);
  }else if (opt == 2){ // background window
    window.open(url); self.focus();
  }
}

so By using this you can do anything you want.

openURL( "http://www.google.com", 0 ) --> open in same window
openURL( "http://www.google.com", 1 ) --> open in new window
openURL( "http://www.google.com", 2 ) --> open in new window but in background.

Answer 4

Try this: (checked on chrome only)

var myWindow = window.open(url,name,features);
window.open().close();

Answer 5

Yes you can do that just use:

var myWindow = window.open(url,name,features);
myWindow.blur();

Answer 6

Activate parent window from child or activate self once child is opened.