How to Make Link Tag in WordPress Post/Page Editor Become Open In New Tab/Window by Default

This following modification will change the javascript files that belong to WordPress core, in order to make the Link tag in WordPress post/page editor become open in new tab/window by default. As we know, by default in WordPress, this tag will open in the same window since there is no target=”_blank” property in the a href, especially if you insert this tag by typing your post/page from HTML tab (not from Visual tab) on your WordPress’ post/page editor. As this will change the core file of your WordPress, then you have to change the related files if you upgrade your WordPress core installation. So, please be kind, everyone!

1. Open your /wp-includes/js/quicktags.js file, and find this code:

   if(a){edButtons[c].tagStart='<a href="'+a+'">';

   then replace with this following code:

   if(a){edButtons[c].tagStart='<a href="'+a+'" target="_blank">';

2. Open your /wp-includes/js/quicktags.dev.js file, and find this code:

   144	this.newWin = 0;

   then replace with this following code:

   144	this.newWin = 1; // Modified by Masino Sinaga, July 10, 2010, in order to add target="_blank" phrase while creating new link

   Find again this code:

   216	var newWin = '', tempStr;

   then replace with this following code:

   216	var newWin = '1', tempStr; // Modified by Masino Sinaga, May 20, 2010, in order to add target="_blank" phrase while creating new link

   Find again this code:

   451	var newWin = '', tempStr;

   then replace with this following code:

   451	var newWin = '1', tempStr; // Modified by Masino Sinaga, May 20, 2010, in order to add target="_blank" phrase while creating new link

3. Clear your browser’s cache that you are currently using, afterwards close and re-open your browser, then try to login to your editor’s post/page via “HTML” tab in your WordPress, then try the Link tag. You should see that WordPress has automatically added the target=”_blank” phrase inside the Link a href tag.