Hyperlink in HTML Field and open in new tab

[sondrefaane]

I have an HTML field in ServiceNow where users can toggle editability using a checkbox. Here's how it's configured:

• UI Policy:

  • Name: Make HTML/Link field editable

  • Condition: When the checkbox is checked

  • Action: Sets the HTML field's Read-Only property to false, allowing users to paste links.

• Business Rule:

  • Name: Edit HTML Field false

  • When to Run: Before Insert/Update (both set to true)

  • Action: After saving, it sets the field back to Read-Only (unchecked) and ensures the links cannot be edited unless toggled again.

Problem:
When users paste links into the HTML field, the links open inside the tiny HTML field rather than in a new browser tab. I know I can manually click the link icon and change "open link in..." to "New Window (_blank). However, the end users want the process to be seamless. They don’t want to manually modify the HTML—they just want to:

1. Click Allow Edit (checkbox on)

2. Paste links

3. Click Allow Edit (checkbox off)

4. Click the links later, and have them open in a new tab by default.

Question:
Is there a way to automatically modify the links in the HTML field to include target="_blank" when the field is set back to read-only (i.e., after the checkbox is unchecked)?

Alternatively, can I globally configure the HTML field to treat all links as opening in a new tab without manually adding target="_blank" for each link?

[Vishwa Pandya19]

Hello,

You can set the property glide.ui.html.editor.default_link_target to _blank so that all links throughout the instance will open on a new tab.

If my answer has helped you in any way please mark it as correct or helpful.

[Ankur Bawiskar]

@sondrefaane 

this property can be updated glide.ui.html.editor.default_link_target to _blank

But remember it would be a global change in entire instance which I won't recommend.

If my response helped please mark it correct and close the thread so that it benefits future readers.

[sondrefaane]

What if I don't want to press the link button, and just paste? I tried changing this, but it doesn't apply to the links i directly paste as free-text. They still use implicit.