More Tricks with Links -
Targeted Links

(includes how to open a second window)

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So far our links have simply jumped us from page to page. However using targeted links can give you more control. It can at it's simplest open up a new browser window, but it is probably more important in the concept of frames and controlling how you link between frames

(1) The target value set as "_blank"
(or how to open a second window)

You've probably seen tons of links on the web to open a second window whilst keeping the parent window open. Here is a typical example

click to open a second window

Doing this is dead easy

Create a link as normal

Then go back and right click your link and select link properties.

With older (4.x) versions, click on Extra HTML.. (Beside (C) named target box)

In the Extra HTML box type target="_blank"
(Make sure you don't omit the _ )

This tells the browser to open the hyperlink in a new or blank window (defined by "_blank". Others use the value "_new" but this is being phased out).

Whilst newer (6.x) just hit advanced edit and add the attribute directly

e.g. select target at attribute (Y) and enter _blank as it's value

Apart from this, the major use for target is with frames where it tells the browser what frame to load the link into. Check our frame section out but here are some you should know

(2) specified target

You can set the name of each frame in a window and target a link to open in it

consider this framed window with 3 frames called "left", "top" and "bottom"

a link within any of the frames with the value of target="left" (as described above)will open a page up to replace the left frame

(3) target value of "_top"

Useful when you want to get out of frames. When you have a window full of frames any link with the value of target="_top" (Make sure you don't omit the _ ) will load into the whole window obliterating the frames

1 2

3

(4) target value of "_self"

This is the default (and therefore redundant value). Means the next page loads into the same (or self) frame.

(5) target value of "_parent"

You're unlikely to need this one (which is good as it's bloody confusing)

Imagine you have a framed window with 2 frames. You then open a new frame set in the "top" frame contain itself 3 frames

page1 .htm page2 htm

page1 .htm page3 .htm page4 .htm

If you add the Extra HTML box value of target="_parent"
to a link in any of the 2 new frames then the new page will open up in the their parent frame (e.g. "top" frame) obliterating them like so

page1 .htm page3 .htm page4 .htm

page1 .htm page5 htm

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