How do I make link_to open external URLs in a new window?

Question

I need to convert a rails 2.3 site so that all external URLs open in a new window. I could go though every call to link_to and add :target => \'_blank\'

Answer 1

You just add an helper to add this options in your link_to

If you want add it on each link_to to can add on ApplicationHelper

def link_to(*args, &block)
  if block_given?
    args = [(args.first || {}), (args.second || {}).merge(:target => '_blank')]
  else
    args = [(args.first || {}), (args.second || {}), (args.third || {}).merge(:target => '_blank')]
  end
  super(args, block)
end

Or you can create your own link_to helper

def link_to_blank(*args, &block)
  if block_given?
    args = [(args.first || {}), (args.second || {}).merge(:target => '_blank')]
  else
    args = [(args.first || {}), (args.second || {}), (args.third || {}).merge(:target => '_blank')]
  end
  link_to(args, block)
end