How to run website as a desktop application

Problem

Many web applications such as Google Docs open in a browser window, this makes difficult to switch between windows, especially when many tabs are opened in the browser.

Solution

Using Google Chrome's function "Run as a desktop applcation" we set a hot key to open a particular web app in a separate window, so it feels like a desktop application, and doesn't mix with browser tabs. Moreover, it displays as a separate icon on a taskbar.

Open website as desktop application with Hot Keyboard

Requirements

Hot Keyboard 6.5.117 or above, Google Chrome

Step-by-step

  1. You can skip this tutorial and download a sample macro file that open Google Sheets as a desktop app by pressing Ctrl+Shift+E keyboard shortcut.
  2. Create Open web page macro
  3. Set URL to https://docs.google.com/sheets
  4. Set Open to "Google Chrome"
  5. Tick "Open as desktop application"
  6. Set desired keyboard shortcut, e.g. Ctrl+Shift+E
  7. Click OK to save, and close Hot Keyboard
  8. Press Ctrl+Shift+E to test your macro
  9. Now it runs in a separate window, so you can switch to it without searching in browser tabs

Tips

  • You can change URL to particular document, so it opens first
  • Any website can be opened this way, not web apps only.