MATLAB: Can I return focus to the previously open MATLAB window when using “Command+Tab” in dual display setup on Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks

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I have two MATLAB windows open in dual displays on Mac OS X 10.9: the MATLAB Desktop and the MATLAB Editor. The Command Window is open on screen A, and the Editor is open on screen B. I am editing text in the Editor, but then use "Command+Tab" to switch to any program with a window on screen A (and no window on screen B).

When I return to MATLAB with "Command+Tab", the Command Window on screen A will have focus and the keyboard cursor will be active in the Command Prompt instead of the Editor.

I would like for the focus to return to the editor that was previously active. Is this possible in MATLAB?

Best Answer

No, this is not possible. How applications receive focus is determined by the OS, and the same behavior is observed for any program with multiple windows open on both displays. MATLAB has no control over this.

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The focus can be changed programmatically using Apple Script. Create a new file called "raiseX11.as" which contains the following three lines:

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In order to maintain the scroll position of your Command window when you switch focus to the Editor window, you can double click any word in the Command window so as to highlight it before you click on the Editor window.

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