Correct Way To Open Blank

[justlukeyou]

Hi,

I am using the following code to open a blank page however this creates an HTML error.

Does anyone know the correct code to open a blank page. Im sure this used to work fine.

target="_blank" class='venuelink'

[RichardAskew]

Run for cover!

This no longer validates as it is considered bad practice. You are forcing the user to open a new window and you should really leave that decision up to the user. It also breaks back button functionality etc.

[cheesedude]

When you say "HTML error", are you referring to a validation error? target="_blank" is correct for HTML but is invalid for XHTML.

http://www.w3schools.com/tags/att_a_target.asp

If you are using XHTML, you will have to use Javascript to open your target in a new window in order for it to validate. Like this:

onclick="window.open(this.href,'_blank'); return false;"

Complete link would be:

<a href="http://www.sitepoint.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'_blank'); return false;">Sitepoint</a>

The "return: false;" part is important.

You could also do something similar to this:

http://www.thefutureoftheweb.com/blo...-blank-xhtml11

[justlukeyou]

<a href="http://www.sitepoint.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'_blank'); return false;">Sitepoint</a>

Brilliant thanks, do I need to add anything to the head to allow it to recognise the Javascript?

Im using it on a directory which a blank window would work better.

[RichardAskew]

Try to use sparingly: Should links open in new windows - http://uxdesign.smashingmagazine.com...n-new-windows/