Mailto links are commonly used on websites to enable users to easily send an email to a specific email address. When clicked, these links open the default email client on the user's computer, such as Outlook or Apple Mail. However, what if you want to have mailto links open in a new tab for users who have Gmail set as their default mail handler? In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to make this happen.
To achieve this, you can add a simple snippet of code to your website. When a user clicks on a mailto link with this code in place, it will automatically open Gmail in a new tab with the recipient's email address prefilled.
First, open the HTML file where you have the mailto links that you want to modify. Locate the mailto link code, which typically looks like this:
To open these links in a new tab for users with Gmail set as their default mail handler, you will need to add some additional code. Here's how you can modify the mailto link:
<a href="#">Send Email</a>In this modified code, the `href` attribute is set to `#`, which prevents the default mailto behavior. Instead, the `window.open` function is used to open Gmail in a new tab with the recipient's email address prefilled. Make sure to replace `[email protected]` with the actual email address you want the email to be sent to.
After making these changes, save the HTML file and test the mailto link on your website. Users who have Gmail set as their default mail handler will now see the email composition window open in a new tab when they click on the link.
It's important to note that this method relies on the user having Gmail configured as their default mail handler in their browser settings. If Gmail is not set as the default, the mailto link will still open the default email client on the user's computer.
By following these steps, you can enhance the user experience on your website by ensuring that mailto links open in a new tab for users who prefer using Gmail for their email needs. This simple modification allows for a seamless and convenient way for users to compose emails without leaving your website.