---
schema_version: "1"
id: 21385e1c23bbbe40e5c5920f31410f0ec85f1add7c4445bbc16394f28b699ee3
title: Target Behavior for Smart Links
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/service/264-0-0/knowledge_smart_link_targets.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.knowledge_smart_link_targets.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: cfdc60eb8f0ce99791ea1380580b8c0777d8bbbcc6b2614f8e407ecc1239de18
description: You can specify how smart links open using the different types of target options. Understand the behavior of each option and how smart links created in Salesforce Classic behave in Lightning Experience.
products:
  - Service Cloud
release: "264"
---
# Target Behavior for Smart Links

You can specify how smart links open using the different types of target options. Understand the behavior of each option and how smart links created in Salesforce Classic behave in Lightning Experience.

### Required Editions

<table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small edition"><colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody><tr class=""><td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;">Available in Salesforce Classic and Lightning Experience. <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.service_editions_reference.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">View supported editions</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Target Options

The target corresponds to the link’s `target` attribute in the source HTML. This target determines how links open in Salesforce Classic and outside Salesforce, like in your Salesforce and Experience Cloud sites.

- Not set—If you don't choose a target, the system sets the attribute to `_blank` when you save the article.
- Frame—Opens the linked article in a designated frame
- New Window (`_blank`)—Opens the linked article in a new window or tab.
- Topmost Window (`_top`)—Opens the linked article in the full body of the window.
- Same Window (`_self`)—Opens the linked article in the same frame.
- Parent Window (`_parent`)—Opens the linked article in the parent frame.

## Lightning Target Options

The Lightning target corresponds to the link's `data-lightning-target` attribute in the source HTML. This target determines how links open in Lightning Experience apps and consoles.

- Not set—When the Lightning target isn't set, the system uses the default behavior, `_blank`, which opens a new browser tab
- Lightning App Default (`_new`)—Opens a new workspace tab or subtab in console apps, depending on the user's context. Opens a new browser tab in apps with standard navigation.
- Same Tab or Workspace (`_self`)—Opens a new workspace tab or subtab in console apps, depending on the user’s context. Opens in the same tab in apps with standard navigation.
- New Browser Tab (`_blank`)—Opens a new browser tab.
- New Workspace (`_workspaceTab`)—Opens a new workspace tab in console apps. Opens a new browser tab in apps with standard navigation.
- New Subtab (`_subtab`)—Opens a new tab in console apps. Opens in the same tab in apps with standard navigation.

## What Happens in Lightning When the Lightning Target Isn’t Set?

If the target attribute isn’t set, a smart link opened in Lightning opens in a new browser tab. The `data-lightning-target` attribute is assumed to be `_blank`.

When `target` is specified but not the Lightning `data-lightning-target`, the system uses this default behavior for links opened in Lightning Experience.

- If the target is set to `_blank`, the Lightning target uses the Lightning App Default (`_new`).
- If the target is `_self`, `_top`, or `_parent`, the Lightning target is Same Tab or Workspace (`_self`).
- If the target is a custom frame name, the Lightning target is New Browser Tab (`_blank`).