Open files in new tabs
closed
Susan Molnar
Currently, when a user clicks on a pdf file, it opens in the same window/tab as the website. If the user then closes the tab (thinking they are closing the pdf file), they actually close the entire website. There needs to be a way to exit a pdf other than using the browser's back button. Either a "return" link on the page or (preferably) have pdfs open in a separate tab.
Log In
Meredith Owens
closed
We’ve had our platform behave in both ways at different times in the past—opening files in the same tab, and opening files in new tabs. Whichever way it’s set, individual admins will always request that it behave the opposite way based on their own personal preferences.
Our platform, though, is used by thousands of communities and millions of people, and since decisions like this apply to everyone, we have to take into consideration what is optimal on the whole.
The general industry consensus is to reserve new tabs for opening external websites, rather than content on the same website. Further, because one of the primary purposes of a community website is to post documents, website visitors often find themselves opening multiple documents during the course of their visit. If documents opened in new tabs, it could cause a frustrating number of new tabs to open, and would make navigating back-and-forth between documents on the website more difficult (because you wouldn’t be able to use the back button like you can now).
E
Executive Board
Since your position is that different admins want to handle this differently, why not make it a configuration setting?
Meredith Owens
Executive Board: While we’ve tried both approaches in the past, we’ve settled on the general industry consensus to reserve new tabs for opening external websites rather than content on the same website. Since this is optimal on the whole for the thousands of communities using our platform, we don't have plans to change this behavior.
Meredith Owens
Merged in a post:
Separate tab when viewing documents
Caryl Swanson
It would be fantastic if Documents would open in a different Tab or window. Right now, if you click on a link to the document, it opens in the same window, navigating away from the website. If people don't click the back button and just close the window, they have left the website.
Meredith Owens
Merged in a post:
Open Documents in new tab/window
David Gerdner
This has already been closed, however I need to add that when opening a document, the industry norm is to open it a new window. That really is how it ought to work. The existing technique is not just clumsy, it's outside of the norm.
You said in your notes that the industry standard is to reserve new tabs for opening a new application. However, the fact is when opening a file - whether it is jpg, pdf, or whatever - it is a not merely a new web page and is, in fact, a different application.
Meredith Owens
Merged in a post:
Open a document in separate page or tab
Caryl Swanson
We love the website but find it very frustrating that documents do not open in separate windows or tabs. Not all users are tech savvy to use the back button. And, even when tech savvy, its often forgotten. I do believe there is a code that could allow these to open in a new window or tab. Not sure why you would close this topic
Wes Cossick
Merged in a post:
Open Document in New Window
Mike Wedman
Can you set documents that are on Document Pages to open in a new window so that when the user closes the document it does not close the website as well. Most people are used to closing a web viewed document using the X vs. being in the same window- they have to hit the back arrow arrow to close the document and still be on the website.
Wes Cossick
Merged in a post:
Documents opening in same window
Suzanne Ubry
Can they be set to open in a new window?
Caryl Swanson
This would be great...to have it open in a new Tab.
Meredith Owens
Merged in a post:
Open documents in new window
James Zanoni
Would be nice when opening a document if it would open in a pop up window or least have the option to do it
Meredith Owens
Merged in a post:
Make document link a popup
Thomas Grobicki
When you click on a document to see it, it appears inline on the page replacing the site. It would be convenient if clicking on a document would popup a window instead.
Zachary McCarty
I would be good with the document either opening in a pop-up window or a new tab (or having the option to choose). I just wouldn’t prefer for the document to open in the current window and then have to press the “back arrow” to return to the website.
James Zanoni
Zachary McCarty: I agree with the pop up window. I have received complaints about thinking you were closing out a document but actually exiting out of website when closing document.
Load More
→