browser - Run JavaScript code on window close or page refresh?

Question

Is there a way to run a final JavaScript code when a user closes a browser window or refreshes the page?

I'm thinking of something similar to onload but more like onclose? Thanks.

I don't like the onbeforeunload method, which always yields to a confirmation box popping up (leave page/ stay on mozilla) or (reload/ don't reload on chrome). Is there a way to execute the code quietly?

Answer 1

There is both window.onbeforeunload and window.onunload, which are used differently depending on the browser. You can assign them either by setting the window properties to functions, or using the .addEventListener:

window.onbeforeunload = function(){
   // Do something
}
// OR
window.addEventListener("beforeunload", function(e){
   // Do something
}, false);
   

Usually, onbeforeunload is used if you need to stop the user from leaving the page (ex. the user is working on some unsaved data, so he/she should save before leaving). onunload isn't supported by Opera, as far as I know, but you could always set both.