How to get a Libre Office document to open as the active window in the foreground

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I’ve used Libre Office for some time now and like it, but there is one small issue I’d like to resolve. When I open an existing LO document or spreadsheet, say by clicking on it in Windows Explorer, the LO splash screen appears, after which the document/spreadsheet opens. The problem is that the newly-opened LO document/spreadsheet window isn’t in the foreground as the active window, but is instead hidden behind the Windows Explorer window, so I have to search out the document/spreadsheet I just opened and click on it to make it the active window and to see it in the foreground.

This is hardly a major issue, but it is annoying, and though I’ve searched through the LO Options screen, I can’t seem to find a way to make this change, or else I’ve missed it completely. If anyone can help with this, I’d be much obliged.

Cheers,
HH33

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Are both the Windows Explorer [File Explorer on Win8/8.1/10] and LibreOffice opening Maximized? If so first resize the file management window so it covers a smaller portion of the screen then double-click the file to open it. If the Explorer window is still on top you might be able to simply click once in the visible part of the document to change the focus, bring that window to the forefront.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Hi, Berton,

Usually neither Windows Explorer (in W7 Pro) nor the LO document are full-screen, so I can see the newly-opened LO document appear behind Windows Explorer, at which point I do exactly as you suggest and click on the LO document in the background to make it the active window in the foreground. If Windows Explorer is full-screen, then I have to click on the LO document tab at the bottom of the screen.

The point is that I shouldn’t have to do this when I open a document. In virtually every other software application I can think of, a new document, spreadsheet, or window of whatever kind opens in the foreground, having focus as the active window. I assume that this logical standard practice is likewise possible in LO, but for some reason I am unable to find the setting to tweak, hence my question.

Cheers,
HH33

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There’s some pages at https://duckduckgo.com/?q=new+programs+open+on+top&ia=videos that speak to the problem, may be of some help.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Thanks for that link. It started me searching again using new search terms and I came across this page which appears to answer my problem. However, as it involves changing the Registry – which I only do rarely, cautiously, and after backing it up – I thought I’d check before I do it to see if anyone on this forum knows of a reason why this change would be an unwise thing to do. It seems innocuous enough, but I don’t want to inadvertently cause myself a problem, as I have no time to muck about with a self-inflicted major computer issue at the moment.

Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts on this.

Cheers,
HH33

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Thanks for that link. It started me searching again using new search terms and I came across this page which appears to answer my problem. However, as it involves changing the Registry – which I only do rarely, cautiously, and after backing it up – I thought I’d check before I do it to see if anyone on this forum knows of a reason why this change would be an unwise thing to do. It seems innocuous enough, but I don’t want to inadvertently cause myself a problem, as I have no time to muck about with a self-inflicted major computer issue at the moment.

Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts on this.

Cheers,
HH33

I get this behavior too. Interestingly when I just run LO it presents itself right up front.
I have not researched this but my first thought on the matter is if all other programs behave why make a generic change to the Reggy? If you get no satisfaction here after a suitable time maybe there is a LO forum.

BTW I found an interesting bit of info in that link:

TIP: You can also set the registry keys to auto focus for a windows where you drag your mouse. Follow the procedure below

1. Open Registry Edit as explained above, Navigate to the following path in the registry:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Mouse/ActiveWindowTracking ]

2. Set the value to 1

I have been wondering how to do this! IIRC this is a GUI option in Linux bit not Windows. Seems just backwards! ;):cheers:

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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I don’t see that issue with LO 5.1 on Windows 10. Right clicking and selecting Open works as does double clicking the file. In both cases the LO spreadsheet opens with the focus.

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HH33 – I’ve just checked on both x64- and x32-bit versions of Windows 7 and the default registry value for ForegroundLockTimeout appears to be 200000 (decimal). Changing the value to zero is a minor change that is easily reversible so I can’t think of any reason why you shouldn’t try it.

If it helps, I’ve attached a zip file that includes 2 .REG files. After checking them using Notepad, double-click on ForegroundLockTimeout (amended).reg to change the value to zero, as advised in the article you referenced. Alternatively, double-click on ForegroundLockTimeout (original).reg to change the value back to the default again.

Hope this helps…

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Now more strangeness! After testing OL behavior (NO changes made) I just clicked on a file that a few minutes past opened in the background and found it opened in the foreground!

:cheers:

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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HH33 – I’ve just checked on both x64- and x32-bit versions of Windows 7 and the default registry value for ForegroundLockTimeout appears to be 200000 (decimal). Changing the value to zero is a minor change that is easily reversible so I can’t think of any reason why you shouldn’t try it.

If it helps, I’ve attached a zip file that includes 2 .REG files. After checking them using Notepad, double-click on ForegroundLockTimeout (amended).reg to change the value to zero, as advised in the article you referenced. Alternatively, double-click on ForegroundLockTimeout (original).reg to change the value back to the default again.

Hope this helps…

Hi, Rick,

Many thanks for your kindness in including the Zip file. I was comfortable in making the change directly without the file, but it was very thoughtful of you to provide it.

I changed the ForegroundLockTimeout value to zero, rebooted, and bingo, Libre Office opened a document full screen, in the foreground, and with the focus, rather than opening in the background and leaving the focus on the Windows Explorer window within which I’d clicked the LO file.

Cheers,
HH33

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Many thanks for your kindness in including the Zip file. I was comfortable in making the change directly without the file, but it was very thoughtful of you to provide it.

I changed the ForegroundLockTimeout value to zero, rebooted, and bingo, Libre Office opened a document full screen, in the foreground, and with the focus, rather than opening in the background and leaving the focus on the Windows Explorer window within which I’d clicked the LO file.

I’m pleased the issue’s resolved for you. Many thanks for letting us know. Not everyone’s comfortable using the registry directly so I thought I would add the attachment just in case. Who knows, others may land here after searching on the same issue (plus, as a LibreOffice user myself, I thought it interesting enough to create the .reg files and keep copies on my USB ‘fix’ stick so I wouldn’t have to search on the issue again if I ever experience it. 🙂 )

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Well, it appears that I may have celebrated too soon. While LO appears to open in the foreground and with focus when I start LO from scratch, I’ve now had occasions when – with LO open, but minimized – clicking on a document or spreadsheet in Windows Explorer still results in that doc/xls file opening in the background. I’ve played with it for a while, but have so far been unable to document a clear pattern of behavior. It looks as though I may need to go to the LO Forum after all when I have some time to research it.

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I get this behavior too. Interestingly when I just run LO it presents itself right up front.
I have not researched this but my first thought on the matter is if all other programs behave why make a generic change to the Reggy? If you get no satisfaction here after a suitable time maybe there is a LO forum.

Hi, David,

Thanks for your posts. Like you, if I just start up Libre Office directly, I find that the LO window opens in the foreground and with the focus, but if I click on a LO file in Windows Explorer, the LO file opens behind the Windows Explorer window. I have no idea why the opening procedure differs in the two scenarios.

I very much agree with you that if all other programs are behaving themselves, it seems somehow inappropriate to make a generic change to the Registry just to cure a problem with a single piece of misbehaving software. In the short run, making that generic change resolved a minor annoyance for me, but when I have time, I’ll join the Libre Office Forum and see what I can learn there about a cure that is LO-specific.

The problem is that I’ve been spoiled. Over the years, I’ve come to respect the wide diversity of experience and knowledge here in the Lounge, so I normally make this my first port of call when I’m wrestling with any computer issue and I can honestly say that I’m very rarely disappointed.

Cheers,
HH33

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In post #3 you mentioned just Win 7 Pro (both 64-bit versions) but it’s not clear whether the issue happens on both your desktop and laptop or just one?

Does it happen on your HP Mini? (i.e. is the issue reproducible on a 32-bit version of Windows?)

What version(s) of LibreOffice are you using? (i.e. Both version no. and ‘bitness’)

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At the moment, the only experience I have of this issue is on my W7 Pro 64-Bit desktop, running LO Version 5.0.5.2 (64-Bit), on which I do most of my day-to-day computer work. I normally only use the laptop and (very rarely now) the HP Mini when I am traveling or teaching, so I can’t report on those at the moment. I can check the issue on one or both of them, but it may be a while before I can get the time to do that. In the meantime, perhaps other Loungers will weigh in on this question.

Thanks for your post and your interest in this issue.

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At the moment, the only experience I have of this issue is on my W7 Pro 64-Bit desktop, running LO Version 5.0.5.2 (64-Bit), on which I do most of my day-to-day computer work. I normally only use the laptop and (very rarely now) the HP Mini when I am traveling or teaching, so I can’t report on those at the moment. I can check the issue on one or both of them, but it may be a while before I can get the time to do that. In the meantime, perhaps other Loungers will weigh in on this question.

Thanks for your post and your interest in this issue.

I suggest you concentrate on just the one device (W7 Pro 64-Bit desktop?) for the moment and update LibreOffice to the latest v5.1.1.3 (64-Bit) version to see if this z-order issue has been resolved (after first making sure that the device is using the latest graphics driver).

Hope this helps…

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It will have to be just on this computer for now, as I don’t have the time to muck about with multiple computers at the moment. I’ll update LO, but if the problem is still not fixed, I think my next step will be to join the LO Forum and post the issue there. As noted in an earlier post, I agree with Wavy that since the problem only occurs with LO, looking for broad brush “generic” solutions to a problem which appears to involve only one piece of software doesn’t really seem appropriate. Dunno; we’ll see.

Many thanks for your posts and suggestions. If I discover a solution or any information of interest, I’ll certainly post it here in the Lounge.

Cheers,
HH33

P.S. – After posting this, I clicked on the “Check for Updates” tab within LO and was told that my current version, 5.0.5.2 (64-Bit), is up-to-date. Is v5.1.1.3 (64-Bit) perhaps a beta version, not yet ready to be released to the great unwashed masses?

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P.S. – After posting this, I clicked on the “Check for Updates” tab within LO and was told that my current version, 5.0.5.2 (64-Bit), is up-to-date. Is v5.1.1.3 (64-Bit) perhaps a beta version, not yet ready to be released to the great unwashed masses?

LibreOffice v5 is available in 3 versions – ‘Still’, ‘Fresh’ and ‘Development’.

– v5.0.5. is the ‘Still’ version, released as stable and “usually recommended for more conservative use“.
– v5.1.1 is a ‘Fresh’ version, i.e. released as the “stable version with the most recent features“.
– v5.1.2 is the pre-release ‘Development‘ version, i.e. beta.

On the right of each Download page are links to each of the versions:

44030-lo5download

Under each Main Installer section is a tiny little link to more info:

44031-lo5info

Hope this helps…

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Thanks for the reminder about LO’s strange versioning system. I remember having seen that in the past, but I had always assumed that the “Check for Update” function within LO would of course take me to the latest “Fresh” version because it was the “stable version with the most recent features,” which is what most people are looking for when they check for updates. Bad assumption on my part.

I’ll give 5.1.1 a go and see if the problem disappears. If it doesn’t, I’ll see if I can learn anything on the LO Forum.

Thanks again for your continuing interest and posts on this issue.

Cheers,
HH33

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UPDATE:

Version 5.1.1 had the same issue, so after posting in the LO Forum, I did some searching on the Ask.LibreOffice.org site and found this discussion of the issue. It appears that the issue has generated a number of bug reports, but no resolution so far. I tried closing/minimizing the sidebar in LO Writer and, much to my surprise, it sometimes seems to correct the issue, meaning that I can open an LO document from within Windows Explorer and have it open in the foreground with focus. Maybe others can have a go at this and find a pattern, but for now I’m going to have to let this issue go

The issue is annoying, but not a critical problem that prevents users from using LO, so I guess we’ll just have to wait patiently until LO catches up with this one in their bug fixes.

Cheers,
HH33

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I did some searching on the Ask.LibreOffice.org site and found this discussion of the issue.

The issue is annoying, but not a critical problem that prevents users from using LO, so I guess we’ll just have to wait patiently until LO catches up with this one in their bug fixes.

Many thanks for reporting back with what you found, including the link.

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Further update:

For any who may be interested, a discussion of this bug can be found onthis page.

Cheers,
HH33

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While I respect your concern over making general Registry changes for just one application, I thought I’d throw this in the mix. I have the exact same issue with Outlook 2010. When I open a meeting, sometimes it opens the meeting in the background.

So the problem isn’t entirely unique to L-O. And at the risk of over-generalizing, it’s hard to imagine when that behaviour would be both appropriate and welcome.

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While I respect your concern over making general Registry changes for just one application, I thought I’d throw this in the mix. I have the exact same issue with Outlook 2010. When I open a meeting, sometimes it opens the meeting in the background.

So the problem isn’t entirely unique to L-O. And at the risk of over-generalizing, it’s hard to imagine when that behaviour would be both appropriate and welcome.

Thanks for your post. Like you, I cannot imagine that behaviour ever being appropriate and welcome, but I suspect that in each case the issue is better dealt with by resolving the root cause within the particular errant software than by having all users of the software change Registry settings which affect all programs (though it was certainly worth giving it a test in the course of trying to resolve this problem). Apparently LO is dealing with it as a bug within LO which needs to be fixed, as indicated in this bug report.

Perhaps Microsoft should do the same with Outlook, though I doubt that MS would now invest any effort in trying to resolve issues with the 2010 version. At this point, I suspect that any resolution of your Outlook issue, if one exists, is more likely to come from searching through user forums.

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I agree that it’s “late in the day” for Office 2010. To tell the truth though, I’m not actively seeking resolution of this issue; for me it’s a minor annoyance. There are multiple bigger issues on my table and my ability to pursue such issues, especially when they drag on, has limits.

The only reason I even thought of it was your post!
:coffeetime:

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