Is there anyway to give Flash focus in a browser without required the user to click it?

Question

I have a flash (flex) web application and when it first loads the cursos is in the username field blinking. However, you can\'t start typing because Flash does not have focu

Answer 1

The method linked by Zilupe described in the note is for Windows IE only, probably not good enough.

I haven't tried this myself and for the comments on the page it seems it's not reliable, but check this out: Firefox Focus and Actual Links.

This is a very annoying problem that effectively kills any accessibility efforts you might have put in your Flash application. Blind users using non-IE browsers will NOT be able to use your app because they simply cannot click on it to give it the focus.

Last time I investigated the problem I found a comment by some FF developer stating that it was actually Mozilla's fault (sorry, lost the link) but I honestly don't care. Adobe should chase up Mozilla and put some effort to fix this, it's on Adobe's interest.

Answer 2

Check out SWFObject. For security reasons FLASH never is auto focus - otherwise stealing keyboard input would be a snap.

Answer 3

You should use Javascript. Here's an official how-to: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/155/tn_15586.html