HTML Guide for target

The target attribute on <a> elements can’t be blank.

This attribute defines the browsing context for links, that is, where should the linked documents be opened. This was used extensively on the now deprecated <frame> element, so you could give the name of the frame to open the document in, but is now more used to force links to open in a separate tab or window using target="_blank". Another option is using a name, so the new browsing context can be referred to on subsequent clicks on links with the same target.

For example, this will force the links to open on a new tab:

<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank">will open a blank tab</a>

Empty target on an <area> element is invalid; it must be a named browsing context (at least one character) or a valid keyword like _self, _blank, _parent, or _top.

The target attribute on hyperlinked elements such as <a> and <area> controls where to open the linked resource. It accepts either a named browsing context (e.g., target="mapFrame") or one of the standard keywords: _self (default, same frame/tab), _blank (new tab/window), _parent, or _top. An empty string "" is not allowed and causes validation errors. Choose the appropriate keyword or remove target if default behavior is desired. If you need to direct links to a specific frame or iframe, use a non-empty name and ensure the frame has a matching name attribute.

HTML Examples

Invalid example (reproduces the error)

<img src="plan.png" usemap="#site-map" alt="Site map">
<map name="site-map">
  <area shape="rect" coords="10,10,100,60" href="/about" alt="About" target="">
</map>

Fixed examples

<!-- Use a valid keyword -->

<img src="plan.png" usemap="#site-map" alt="Site map">
<map name="site-map">
  <area shape="rect" coords="10,10,100,60" href="/about" alt="About" target="_self">
</map>

<!-- Or remove target to use default behavior -->

<img src="plan.png" usemap="#site-map" alt="Site map">
<map name="site-map">
  <area shape="rect" coords="10,10,100,60" href="/about" alt="About">
</map>

<!-- Or target a named iframe -->

<iframe name="mapFrame" src="about:blank" title="Content frame"></iframe>
<img src="plan.png" usemap="#site-map" alt="Site map">
<map name="site-map">
  <area shape="rect" coords="10,10,100,60" href="/about" alt="About" target="mapFrame">
</map>

The value used in the target property of an <a> element has been identified as a keyword because it starts with an underscore _, but it’s not a valid keyword.

Values starting with an underscore for the target property are used for reserved keywords like _blank, _self, _parent or _top.