How to make links in lexxy content open in a new tab by default (target="_blank")?

[jpacostar]

Hi lexxy team and community :)

Is there an easy way to make links in the lexxy content have target="_blank" by default?

I'm writing a web app in rails where some pages have extra details and links added using lexxy. But when users click the links they leave the app. Ideally it would take them to a new tab (esp. for users on the pwa).

Thanks!

[samuelpecher]

Hey @jpacostar - I would consider processing the content server-side on render to add target="_blank" to links to another host. That would give you 100% coverage.

To do it in Lexxy on the client-side, use the lexxy:insert-link event to replaceLinkWith and add the attribute.

For advanced needs, you could use the experimental Lexxy Extensions with Node Replacement to override the underlying link node.

[jpacostar]

Thanks @samuelpecher ! This worked great. Copying the details below in case it helps other beginners like myself :)

  # In a helper file (app/helpers/application_helper.rb)
  def external_links_in_new_tab(rich_text_content)
    html_content = rich_text_content.to_s
    doc = Nokogiri::HTML.fragment(html_content)
    doc.css("a").each do |link|
      link["target"] = "_blank"
      link["rel"] = "noopener noreferrer" # Security best practice
    end
    doc.to_html.html_safe
  end

Then use this to render:

<%= external_links_in_new_tab(@post.content) %>