Create a W3C validated anchor link with target=“_blank”

Question

I have the following piece of HTML that creates a new window when clicked:

glide by the people
         


        

Answer 1

You can not do it with W3C strict validation.

The solutions are:

• Transitional doctype as already mentioned

• A different validator (e.g. CSE)

• Use JavaScript to replace "_blank" - see http://www.ajaxblender.com/open-links-new-window-w3c-valid-target-blank.html (the link shows how to do it real neatly with jQuery - I am pasting the 2 examples below).

    $(document).ready(function(){
          $('A[rel="_blank"]').each(function() {
               $(this).attr('target', '_blank');
          });
     });
     // ...OR...
     $(document).ready(function(){
          $('A[rel="_blank"]').click(function() {
               window.open($(this).attr('href'));
               return false;
          });
     });

• Also, as per this doctype page, HTML5 should allow target atrtribute to be validated, fow what it's worth.