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I have a link.

If I click it the javascript for the onclick runs and we do not go to the href address. This is good.

If I right click it and choose open in new tab then we only go to the href address in a new tab and the onclick does not run. This is also good.

If I cntl and click (on windows - command and click on ios) then the onclick runs (presumably because a click has happened) and I go to the href address in a new tab. I don't want this. I just want the new tab to open.

<a href="http://www.google.co.uk" onclick="arguments[0].stopPropagation(); alert('Clicked')">Do some stuff</a>

Either - can I detect that my onclick also caused a new tab to open so I can choose not to run my code.

Or, is there another event I should be listening for.

What I want to happen on a ctrl and click is - new tab opens, my javascript code does not run (or I can choose what to do).

I need something that works across all (latest) browsers and operating systems if possible. I.e. I'd prefer not to have to check if cntr(17) was pressed. I would prefer to know the intent of the click was to open a new tab - I was hoping to see a dynamic target attribute on the event but I couldn't find it.

(PS - ignore the fact that arguments[0] might not exist in all browsers - this is just an example of my problem)

I don't think this is a duplicate of knowing if the control key was pressed (although it may well turn out to be the only way of checking). I am asking if there is a way of differentiating between targeting a link in a new window/tab and targeting a link in the same tab.

Jonny
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  • Throwing ideas out there, but perhaps: `preventDefault()` > Your action of choice > Use JS to open the requested page (If you want to) – DBS Jan 22 '16 at 17:28
  • Hi pherris - the only answer may well be to check the ctrl key - I was hoping there was a better cross platform / browser solution. – Jonny Jan 22 '16 at 22:39

1 Answers1

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I'd suggest adding 'return false;' to the end of onclick=".." - that way the href=... bit only fires if javascript is disabled or is by-passed.

Tony Duffill
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