How to run function of parent window when child window closes?

Question

I am calling the javascript window.open() function to load another url in a pop up. Once the users is finished it takes them to the last page that has a link that says close window that calls the window.close() function. Now when that page closes I need to update something in the original page that opened the window. Is there any way to do this? I have to call a function that is in my original page.

Answer 1

You probably want to use the 'onbeforeunload' event. It will allow you call a function in the parent window from the child immediately before the child window closes.

So probably something like this:

window.onbeforeunload = function (e) {
    window.parent.functonToCallBeforeThisWindowCloses();
};

Answer 2

You can somehow try this:

Spawned window:

window.onunload = function (e) {
    opener.somefunction(); //or
    opener.document.getElementById('someid').innerHTML = 'update content of parent window';
};

Parent Window:

window.open('Spawn.htm','');
window.somefunction = function(){

}

You should no do this on the parent, otherwise opener.somefunction() will not work, doing window.somefunction makes somefunction as public:

function somefunction(){

}