In HTML, you can control how links are opened using the target attribute. By default, links are opened in the same tab or window. However, there are scenarios where you might want to open a link in a new tab or window. This tutorial will cover how to achieve this without relying on JavaScript.
Understanding the target Attribute
The target attribute specifies where to open the linked document. It can have several values that determine the behavior of the link:
_self: Opens the linked document in the same frame as it was clicked (this is the default behavior)._blank: Opens the linked document in a new window or tab._parent: Opens the linked document in the parent frame._top: Opens the linked document in the full body of the window.
Opening Links in New Tabs
To open a link in a new tab, you use the _blank value with the target attribute. Here is an example:
<a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank">Visit Example Website</a>
This will open the linked document (https://www.example.com) in a new tab.
Security Considerations
When using target="_blank", it’s also important to include rel="noopener noreferrer" to prevent potential security vulnerabilities. This attribute helps prevent the newly opened page from being able to access the original page via JavaScript, which could be used for malicious purposes:
<a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Visit Example Website</a>
Applying target="_blank" Globally
If you want all links on your website to open in new tabs by default without having to specify the target attribute for each link, you can use the <base> tag within the <head> section of your HTML document:
<head>
<title>Your Website Title</title>
<base target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
</head>
However, keep in mind that using the <base> tag for this purpose might not be suitable for all scenarios and could have unintended consequences on other aspects of your website’s functionality.
Conclusion
Opening links in new tabs is a common requirement for web developers, and HTML provides an easy way to achieve this through the target attribute. By understanding how to use _blank along with security considerations like rel="noopener noreferrer", you can enhance the user experience on your website while also ensuring security.