Links In Smartsheet Form Not Opening In New Tab

Benjamin O'Leary · 07/20/23

I have a bunch of links embedded in my form. When a user clicks on one of them, it opens in the same tab, negating any progress they made on the form. I looked up some solutions (putting '?&target=_blank' at the end of each link), and everything worked fine.

However, after saving and refreshing the sheet/form, the links started to open on the same tab again, even with the '?&target=_blank' remaining at the end of the links. I'm not sure why the links are reverting back to opening on the same tab.

Has anybody else experienced this before?

Debbie Sawyer · 07/21/23

This is strange.

Do you think it might be browser specific? I have just popped a URL into the Description of a Header field in a form. No extra code on the end.

When I use the form and click on the URL it opens in a new tab automatically.

I can also right click on the URL and select Open in New Tab too.

I am using Chrome as my browser. Have you tested in a different browser at all?

Kind regards

Debbie

Benjamin O'Leary · 07/21/23

@Debbie Sawyer I tried in both Chrome and Edge. I had the same issue in both browsers. I did notice that when I open up the Smartsheet, the 'Save' icon is un-greyed, as if I made a change to the sheet and didn't save it. The same thing occurs when I try to open the form; it asks me to save the form before it can open:

Debbie Sawyer · 07/23/23

@Benjamin O'Leary

hmmm yes, to have to save before opening the form is normal behaviour when opening it through the design screen (even if you don't make any changes). I wouldn't worry about that too much.

If you send me your email address I can share you to a dummy form and we can see how my form works from your Smartsheet?

My email address is debbie.sawyer@smarterbusinessprocesses.com

I assume you have tried the middle mouse click, and the right click (Open in new tab option) and the windows + click methods too?

I do think this is a local IT issue rather than a Smartsheet issue...But I am happy to be overruled by someone else on this community!

Reach out if you want to test this out with me?

Kind regards

Debbie

Benjamin O'Leary · 07/24/23

Sure, my email is benjamin.oleary@contractors.roche.com

Benjamin O'Leary · 07/25/23

Do I need to use the '?&target=_blank' in HTML? Because I don't know how to edit the HTML of the Smartsheet form.

Genevieve P. · 02/09/24

Hi all,

Hopping in here to let you know there's been an update to the way hyperlinks work in forms!

It won't happen automatically for your current links, you'll need to re-add them for the links to open in a new tab. Here's more information:

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/117213/new-form-hyperlinks-now-open-in-a-new-browser-tab

Cheers,

Genevieve

MPath · 12/05/24

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/418942#Comment_418942

Hi Genevieve,

Any way to do exactly the opposite?

I have a header with some information on the form that is in front ones nose, but there is a link in the text which states something like this "….for other entries go back to PORTAL" Portal being a smartsheet dashbord URL where they came from initially before clicking said form. I've hyperlinked "PORTAL" but would like it to open in current tab.

Addiotionally, I would like hyperlinks in the dashboard to open in current tab.

Im asking a lot, but maybe there's a easy fix to it? :)

Appreciate your time here on this community!

Genevieve P. · 12/05/24

Hey @MPath

That's a great question! No, I don't believe there's a way to choose if a URL opens in the current tab or in a new tab. With the updated functionality, all hyperlinks automatically open in a new tab so the user can navigate back and forth.

What you could do is have the form load a specific page after submission… so once the form is filled in, then the Dashboard will auto-appear on the same tab.

Cheers,
Genevieve

MPath · 12/05/24

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/464497#Comment_464497

Thanks for your quick response.

I have thought about that too. But the response I'm getting is that it then is not clear that an entry has been submitted. It just goes straight to the admins defined link and there is no visual signal that a user knows the entry has been recorded.

I know it works, but users need that prompt to know it worked.

Remarked something on this new/current tab issue here too:

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/464496#Comment_464496

Debbie Sawyer · 12/05/24

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/464499#Comment_464499

You could do this suggestion and send them an alert from the sheet saying thank you for your submission? I often turn off the form success message in favour of an automated response, as you can give reference numbers etc in the automated response which you can't do in the submission successful message.

MPath · 12/05/24

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/464500#Comment_464500

Thanks for thinking along!

I have user sending in without having to login, or a group of users under the same account, so that is not a option for me.

Debbie Sawyer · 12/05/24

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/464501#Comment_464501

Ahhh - then I'd suggest a piece of static text just above the submit button that says when you hit Submit, you will be transferred to a dashboard (or whatever the link is) and if that appears you know we have received your submission!

Links In Smartsheet Form Not Opening In New Tab

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