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Window open() Method

< Window Object

Example

Open "www.w3ii.com" in a new browser window:

window.open("http://www.w3ii.com");
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More "Try it Yourself" examples below.

Definition and Usage

The open() method opens a new browser window.

Tip: Use the close() method to close the window.

Browser Support

Method
open() Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Syntax

window.open(URL,name,specs,replace)

Parameter Values

Parameter Description
URL Optional. Specifies the URL of the page to open. If no URL is specified, a new window with about:blank is opened
name Optional. Specifies the target attribute or the name of the window. The following values are supported:
  • _blank - URL is loaded into a new window. This is default
  • _parent - URL is loaded into the parent frame
  • _self - URL replaces the current page
  • _top - URL replaces any framesets that may be loaded
  • name - The name of the window (Note: the name does not specify the title of the new window)
specs Optional. A comma-separated list of items, no whitespaces. The following values are supported:

channelmode=yes|no|1|0 Whether or not to display the window in theater mode. Default is no. IE only
directories=yes|no|1|0 Obsolete. Whether or not to add directory buttons. Default is yes. IE only
fullscreen=yes|no|1|0 Whether or not to display the browser in full-screen mode. Default is no. A window in full-screen mode must also be in theater mode. IE only
height=pixels The height of the window. Min. value is 100
left=pixels The left position of the window. Negative values not allowed
location=yes|no|1|0 Whether or not to display the address field. Opera only
menubar=yes|no|1|0 Whether or not to display the menu bar
resizable=yes|no|1|0 Whether or not the window is resizable. IE only
scrollbars=yes|no|1|0 Whether or not to display scroll bars. IE, Firefox & Opera only
status=yes|no|1|0 Whether or not to add a status bar
titlebar=yes|no|1|0 Whether or not to display the title bar. Ignored unless the calling application is an HTML Application or a trusted dialog box
toolbar=yes|no|1|0 Whether or not to display the browser toolbar. IE and Firefox only
top=pixels The top position of the window. Negative values not allowed
width=pixels The width of the window. Min. value is 100

replace Optional. Specifies whether the URL creates a new entry or replaces the current entry in the history list. The following values are supported:
  • true - URL replaces the current document in the history list
  • false - URL creates a new entry in the history list

Technical Details

Return Value: A reference to the newly created window, or null if the call failed
Examples

More Examples

Example

Open an about:blank page in a new window:

var myWindow = window.open("", "", "width=200,height=100");
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Example

Open a new window called "MsgWindow", and write some text into it:

var myWindow = window.open("", "MsgWindow", "width=200,height=100");
myWindow.document.write("<p>This is 'MsgWindow'. I am 200px wide and 100px tall!</p>");
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Example

Replace the current window with a new window:

var myWindow = window.open("", "_self");
myWindow.document.write("<p>I replaced the current window.</p>");
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Example

Open a new window and control its appearance:

window.open("http://www.w3ii.com", "_blank", "toolbar=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,top=500,left=500,width=400,height=400");
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Example

Open multiple windows:

window.open("http://www.google.com/");
window.open("http://www.w3ii.com/");
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Example

Open a new window. Use close() to close the new window:

function openWin() {
    myWindow = window.open("", "myWindow", "width=200,height=100");   // Opens a new window
}

function closeWin() {
    myWindow.close();   // Closes the new window
}
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Example

Open a new window. Use the name property to return the name of the new window:

var myWindow = window.open("", "MsgWindow", "width=200,height=100");
myWindow.document.write("<p>This window's name is: " + myWindow.name + "</p>");
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Example

Using the opener property to return a reference to the window that created the new window:

var myWindow = window.open("", "myWindow", "width=200,height=100");   // Opens a new window
myWindow.document.write("<p>This is 'myWindow'</p>");   // Text in the new window
myWindow.opener.document.write("<p>This is the source window!</p>");  // Text in the window that created the new window
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< Window Object