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by Ian Lloyd

target (HTML attribute)

Browser support full matrix
IE5.5+ FF1+ Saf1.3+ Op9.2+
Full Full Full Full
Spec
Depr. Version
Yes HTML 2
target=" { _blank | frame name | _parent | _self | _top } "

Example

Here, the target attribute for the a element is set to "_top":
<p>You can try our <a href="cakes.html" target="_top">lovely range 
    of cakes</a>.</p>

Description

The target attribute is deprecated and its use as a layout mechanism, like that of the frameset, is no longer common. However, if you do find yourself having to maintain a frameset-based web site, you may need to open links in frames or windows other than the one in which the source of the link resides.

Value

The attribute can take any of the following values:

  • "_blank"

    loads content in a completely new window

  • "frame name"

    loads content in a frame with a custom name

  • "_parent"

    loads content in the parent frameset for the current frame

  • "_self"

    loads content in the same frame (This attribute isn’t normally required, as this is the default behavior unless the baseelement specifies otherwise. In that case, you’d need to override the specification using "_self"; for example, <base target="searchresults"/>.)

  • "_top"

    loads content in the top-level frameset (in effect, the whole browser window), no matter how many nested levels down the current frame is located

Compatibility

IE5.5Full
6.0Full
7.0Full
Firefox1.0Full
1.5Full
2.0Full
Safari1.3Full
2.0Full
3.0Full
Opera9.2Full

It causes no compatibility issues, and has excellent support across all tested browsers.

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