External URL Changes the Launch Page and Opens a New Tab

[jawmedina]

Can anyone help me with this?

I am in the Modules area.

I created an External URL link and set the External URL to "Load in a new tab." When I click on the link, it opens the link in a new tab (works great), but it also changes from the Modules area to a new page (see the attached image). 

How do I make it stay in the Modules area?

The idea behind loading it in a new tab is so it doesn't change the page they were on. 

[Chris_Hofer]

@jawmedina ...

Hi there.  Those links that open in a new tab/window do work kind of strange...I agree.  Instead of linking to websites the way you're currently doing it, I might recommend that you create a brand new content page, and then put any and all of your links on that page for your students to access.  Links to external sites outside of the Canvas interface should open in a new tab, and the page with your links won't change to some other page like you're currently experiencing.  Do you think this would be a workable solution for you?

[jawmedina]

That is doable, but I am looking for ways to get the information to students without all of the unnecessary clicks. 

Is the use of HTML in the External URL an option? I can use target=”_blank” to make it work.

[Chris_Hofer]

@jawmedina ...

I've not tried that myself, but I'm guessing the answer might be "no".  If you wanted to try this, you could in an unpublished module, in a sandbox course, or even in your school's Canvas "test" environment (which is separate from the "production" environment that you typically log into on a daily basis).

• What is the Canvas test environment?
• How do I access the Canvas test environment as an instructor?

Just be sure to sign out of the "test" environment when you are done.

How do I log out of Canvas as an instructor?

Hope this might help.

[jawmedina]

Thank you.

[jawmedina · Accepted solution]

I had someone help me with my testing. The only thing we can get to work is if they view it in a browser or, if viewing in Mobile, make it accessible to the world.