How do you clear the focus in javascript?
JavascriptFocusJavascript Problem Overview
I know this shouldn't be that hard, but I couldn't find the answer on Google.
I want to execute a piece of javascript that will clear the focus from whatever element it is on without knowing ahead of time which element the focus is on. It has to work on firefox 2 as well as more modern browsers.
Is there a good way to do this?
Javascript Solutions
Solution 1 - Javascript
Answer: document.activeElement
To do what you want, use document.activeElement.blur()
If you need to support Firefox 2, you can also use this:
function onElementFocused(e)
{
if (e && e.target)
document.activeElement = e.target == document ? null : e.target;
}
if (document.addEventListener)
document.addEventListener("focus", onElementFocused, true);
Solution 2 - Javascript
.focus() and then .blur() something else arbitrary on your page. Since only one element can have the focus, it is transferred to that element and then removed.
Solution 3 - Javascript
document.activeElement.blur();
Works wrong on IE9 - it blurs the whole browser window if active element is document body. Better to check for this case:
if (document.activeElement != document.body) document.activeElement.blur();
Solution 4 - Javascript
None of the answers provided here are completely correct when using TypeScript, as you may not know the kind of element that is selected.
This would therefore be preferred:
if (document.activeElement instanceof HTMLElement)
document.activeElement.blur();
I would furthermore discourage using the solution provided in the accepted answer, as the resulting blurring is not part of the official spec, and could break at any moment.
Solution 5 - Javascript
For anyone using typescript, use
(document.activeElement as HTMLElement).blur();
This makes sure the element is of type HTMLElement
Solution 6 - Javascript
dummyElem.focus() where dummyElem is a hidden object (e.g. has negative zIndex)?
Solution 7 - Javascript
You can call window.focus();
but moving or losing the focus is bound to interfere with anyone using the tab key to get around the page.
you could listen for keycode 13, and forego the effect if the tab key is pressed.
Solution 8 - Javascript
With jQuery its just: $(this).blur();