Opening Links in New Tabs with Oracle APEX: Mastering “target=_blank”

In web development, it’s often desirable to open links in a new browser tab or window. This gives users the flexibility to continue browsing the current page while exploring linked content. Oracle APEX, a powerful low-code development platform, provides ways to achieve this behavior. In this blog, we’ll delve into using the “target=_blank” attribute within Oracle APEX applications.

Understanding “target=_blank”

The HTML attribute “target=_blank” is the key to instructing web browsers to open links in a new window or tab. When you incorporate this attribute into an anchor tag (<a>) the following occurs:

HTML

<a href=”https://www.example.com” target=”_blank”>Visit Example Website</a>

Use code with caution.

content_copy

Clicking on a link with “target=_blank” won’t replace the content in the current window; it seamlessly launches the link in a fresh tab/window.

Applying “target=_blank” in Oracle APEX

Let’s explore how to use “target=_blank” in various Oracle APEX components:

1. Trees

• Navigate to the tree region’s attributes.
• Locate the ‘Link Attributes’ section.
• Add target=”_blank” to this field to make all tree links open in new tabs.

2. Lists

• Edit the specific list item you intend to modify.
• Under the ‘Link’ section, set the ‘Target’ to ‘URL’.
• In the ‘URL’ field, use JavaScript to open the link in a new window:
• JavaScript
• javascript:window.open(‘your_page_or_url_here’,’_blank’);
• Use code with caution.
• content_copy
  • Replace ‘your_page_or_url_here’ with the actual link.

3. Buttons

• While editing your button, set the ‘Target’ to ‘URL’.
• Use the same JavaScript code as with lists:
• JavaScript
• javascript:window.open(‘your_page_or_url_here’,’_blank’); 
• Use code with caution.
• content_copy

4. Navigation Menus/Lists

• Open the navigation menu or list for editing.
• Edit the individual entry where you want the new tab behavior.
• In the ‘Target’ field, enter _blank.

Considerations

• User Experience: Employ “target=_blank” judiciously. Excessive usage can lead to disorientation for users with many tabs open at once.
• Browser Settings: Modern browsers may have settings or extensions that can override the “target=_blank” behavior.

In Conclusion

Oracle APEX makes it easy to control how links open, enhancing navigation flow for your users. By understanding the “target=_blank” attribute and the provided examples, you’ll effectively direct links within your applications.