Prevent NSMenu from creating multiple instances of same NSWindow when clicked

Question

I have a simple Cocoa Application that launches a NSWindow when an NSMenu item is clicked. I am initiating the window via a segue. The problem is when I click the menu item multiple times it keeps creating new windows instead of bringing the existing window to the foreground. How can I prevent this behavior? Thanks in advance.

Please provide your `NSMeniItem`-action. – Daniyar Aug 31 '15 at 07:17 — Daniyar, Aug 31 '15 at 07:17

score 9 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 31 '15 at 10:45

9

Select destination window controller
Click attribute inspector and select under Presentation "Single" instead of "Multiple"

answered Aug 31 '15 at 10:45

Marek H

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Thanks! I knew it was something simple. – django-d Sep 04 '15 at 14:20
Is there a way this can be achieved programatically? – Joey Slomowitz May 09 '20 at 11:57
check presentedViewControllers property – Marek H May 09 '20 at 12:06
What should I do if I don't use segue ? Just programmatically init window after pressing on context menu button – Roman Bobelyuk Jul 03 '20 at 06:30
This case means you do memory management yourself -> you know if you created it before. Your question is more like how to create window with viewcontroller. – Marek H Jul 04 '20 at 09:59

score 5 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 13 '21 at 22:22

5

If you have your Window without using Storyboard, lets say you created separate .xib and ViewController to this .xib, you could use the following approach:

Add to your class:

lazy var testViewcontroller = TestViewController(nibName: "TestWindow", bundle: nil)
lazy var testWindow = NSWindow(contentViewController: testViewcontroller)

Then, add this to the method where you invoke the window:

testWindow.makeKeyAndOrderFront(nil)
NSApp.activate(ignoringOtherApps: true) // will help your window to open on top of others

answered Apr 13 '21 at 22:22

slava13

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Nice answer. Just why is NSApp.activate necessary? PS: the app is already active. – Marek H Apr 17 '21 at 07:28
@MarekH Thanks. If you want your window to open on top of others and not be lost behind others - then yes. In my case, I have just the NSStatuItem app -> when you click on it there is a list of NSMenuItems, and then by clicking a specific MenuItem window opens and I don't want this window to be lost somewhere behind others (especially when it's a small window. :) – slava13 Apr 17 '21 at 09:35
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I can confirm NSApp.activate(ignoringOtherApps: true) is required for menubar apps as they have different activation policy. However, I think those commands should be reordered. – Marek H Apr 18 '21 at 08:18

Prevent NSMenu from creating multiple instances of same NSWindow when clicked

2 Answers2