Detect Active Browser/Tab with JavaScript - Quick Guide

When it comes to web development, it's important to know whether the user is actively engaged with your website or has switched to another tab or browser window. Fortunately, JavaScript provides a simple solution for detecting the active browser or tab.

Using the document.hidden Property

The easiest and most reliable way to detect the active browser or tab is by using the document.hidden property. This property returns a Boolean value that indicates whether the current document is visible or hidden. If the document is hidden (i.e. the user has switched to another tab or minimized the browser window), the value of document.hidden will be true.

<script>
    var isActive = !document.hidden;
    if (isActive) {
        console.log("This tab is currently active.");
    } else {
        console.log("This tab is currently inactive.");
    }
</script>

In the example above, we're using the console.log() method to output a message to the browser console indicating whether the current tab is active or inactive.

Using the window.onblur and window.onfocus Events

Another way to detect the active browser or tab is by using the window.onblur and window.onfocus events. These events fire when the window loses and gains focus, respectively.

<script>
    window.onblur = function() {
        console.log("This tab is now inactive.");
    };
    window.onfocus = function() {
        console.log("This tab is now active.");
    };
</script>

In the example above, we're using the console.log() method to output a message to the browser console when the tab loses or gains focus.

Conclusion

Detecting the active browser or tab with JavaScript is an important aspect of web development. Whether you're using the document.hidden property or the window.onblur and window.onfocus events, it's important to know when the user is actively engaged with your website and when they're not.