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Target Behavior for Smart Links
You can specify how smart links open using the different types of target options. Understand the behavior of each option and how smart links created in Salesforce Classic behave in Lightning Experience.
Required Editions
| Available in Salesforce Classic and Lightning Experience. View supported editions. |
Target Options
The target corresponds to the link’s target attribute in
the source HTML. This target determines how links open in Salesforce Classic and outside
Salesforce, like in your Salesforce and Experience Cloud sites.
- Not set—If you don't choose a target, the system sets the attribute to
_blankwhen you save the article. - Frame—Opens the linked article in a designated frame
- New Window (
_blank)—Opens the linked article in a new window or tab. - Topmost Window (
_top)—Opens the linked article in the full body of the window. - Same Window (
_self)—Opens the linked article in the same frame. - Parent Window (
_parent)—Opens the linked article in the parent frame.
Lightning Target Options
The Lightning target corresponds to the link's data-lightning-target attribute in the source HTML. This target determines how
links open in Lightning Experience apps and consoles.
- Not set—When the Lightning target isn't set, the system uses the default behavior,
_blank, which opens a new browser tab - Lightning App Default (
_new)—Opens a new workspace tab or subtab in console apps, depending on the user's context. Opens a new browser tab in apps with standard navigation. - Same Tab or Workspace (
_self)—Opens a new workspace tab or subtab in console apps, depending on the user’s context. Opens in the same tab in apps with standard navigation. - New Browser Tab (
_blank)—Opens a new browser tab. - New Workspace (
_workspaceTab)—Opens a new workspace tab in console apps. Opens a new browser tab in apps with standard navigation. - New Subtab (
_subtab)—Opens a new tab in console apps. Opens in the same tab in apps with standard navigation.
What Happens in Lightning When the Lightning Target Isn’t Set?
If the target attribute isn’t set, a smart link opened in Lightning opens in a new browser tab.
The data-lightning-target attribute is assumed to be
_blank.
When target is specified but not the Lightning data-lightning-target, the system uses this default behavior
for links opened in Lightning Experience.
- If the target is set to
_blank, the Lightning target uses the Lightning App Default (_new). - If the target is
_self,_top, or_parent, the Lightning target is Same Tab or Workspace (_self). - If the target is a custom frame name, the Lightning target is New Browser Tab (
_blank).
