Hyperlinks to open in new windows instead of tabs

[AHSJennyBrown]

Hi,

I am not sure if this is a Captivate setting or a LMS setting but is there a way to make hyperlinks in a course show up in a new window instead of a new tab?

[RodWard]

If you are talking about the window that the course itself launches in, that's controlled by the LMS settings.

If you are talking about web pages that are opened from links or buttons within the course content, then that's controlled by the way you set the link up in Captivate.  When using the Open URL or File action, look to the right of the field where you enter the URL.  You should see a small dropdown arrow that gives several options for how the link will open.  You would need to specify NEW.

However, be warned that opening other URLs from a SCORM module is NOT recommended practice because there is the possibility that doing so during the lesson will potentially break the SCORM communication with the LMS, which can mean your learners reach the end of the module and find they are not awarded completion (because the LMS hasn't been receiving communication calls after they opened that other window).  You should do extensive testing with your particular LMS to find out if this issue will bite you.

[AHSJennyBrown]

Thanks for the reply. I agree with your concern about links and can hopefully convince the SMEs to remove these in the next revision but for now they want them. What I can't figure out is how to make it so when you click on a link that it opens in an entirely new window, instead of a new tab. Not sure if this is even possible. The SMEs are telling me that their course used to open links in new windows and but they are now in new tabs....

[Paul Wilson CTDP]

My suggestion, that also addresses the concerns brought forward by Rod, would be to put whatever you want to show to your learners in a Web Object. No issues with new windows or losing connection with your LMS.

[AHSJennyBrown]

Very good point, thanks for sharing. I will look into web objects as I don't know much about using them in Captivate.

[Paul Wilson CTDP]

Here is a recent example where I used a web object to place a YouTube video into a slide in Captivate 2017. https://youtu.be/Ws3RZPr0O0Q