Automatic New Window for External Links
Pop one set of JavaScript code into your web page and all
external links will open a new browser window — for
JavaScript-enabled browsers.
Note that some surfers are annoyed when a link
automatically opens a new window. The thought is
something akin to, "If I want to open a new window
with the link, I can do it myself." Their choice of
whether or not to open a new window is removed.
If the price of irritating a few is acceptable for
making it easier for others to return to your web site,
then the JavaScript below can come in handy.
Put the JavaScript at the bottom of the page, near the
ending </BODY> tag. All web page links need to be above
the JavaScript so the JavaScript can see them when it runs.
When the JavaScript runs, all links are given the
target="_blank" attribute except:
-
Links to your own domains. (You specify the domain
names in the JavaScript, the only customization
that's required.)
-
Links that already have a value in target="______"
attribute.
-
Links that do not contain a web page URL.
Here is the JavaScript:
<script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript">
<!-- Copyright 2005 Bontrager Connection, LLC
// More info: "Automatic New Window for External Links"
// at /library/
// Also see http://BontragerConnection.com/
//
// List the domain names that shall not be put into new
// windows when the link is clicked. If you use both
// the www.example.com and example.com versions of
// your domain name, list them both. The domains need
// to be all one line between the quotation marks on
// the line below, the names separated with a comma.
// Do not specify http:// URLs, just domain names.
var Domains = "www.willmaster.com,willmaster.com";
////////////////////////////////////////////
// No other customizations are necessary. //
////////////////////////////////////////////
if(Domains.indexOf(" ") != -1) {
var splitarray = Domains.split(" ");
Domains = splitarray.join("");
}
Domains = Domains.toLowerCase();
var DomainsArray = Domains.split(",");
for(var i = 0; i < document.links.length; i++) {
if(document.links[i].hostname.length < 1)
{ continue; }
if(document.links[i].target.length > 0)
{ continue; }
var h = document.links[i].hostname.toLowerCase();
var makeNewWindow = true;
for(var ii = 0; ii < DomainsArray.length; ii++) {
if(DomainsArray[ii] != h)
{ continue; }
makeNewWindow = false;
break;
}
if(makeNewWindow == true)
{ document.links[i].target = '_blank'; }
}
//-->
</script>
You'll see at about line 15 in the above JavaScript is
where the domain name exceptions are listed, the domain
names of links that shall not open a new browser window.
Simply list the domain names between the quotation marks,
all one line, a comma between each domain name. If you use
both www.example.com and example.com versions of your
domain name, then list both.
Hopefully this will make maintenance a little easier for
you. Once the JavaScript is in place, you can add and
remove links as you please, and those that should open
a new browser window automatically do so.
Will Bontrager
©2005 Bontrager Connection, LLC
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