WD97: Saving as HTML Removes Hyperlink "Target" Tag

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Word, when you open and save an HTML document that contains hyperlinks, Word will strip out the optional "Target" tag and value if the document is saved from online layout view.

For example, the following hyperlink with the Target property

   <A HREF = "HTTP://WWW.MICROSOFT.COM/SUPPORT/" TARGET = "_TOP">Link
   Text</A>

   <A HREF = "HTTP://WWW.MICROSOFT.COM/SUPPORT/">Link Text</A>

CAUSE

The Target tag allows a hyperlink to be opened in a specific frame. Because Microsoft Word 97 does not support HTML frames, Word will remove the TARGET= portion of the hyperlink text.

WORKAROUND

To retain the Target tag property, edit and save the document HTML Source view.

-or-

To preserve hyperlinks containing the target property, use the following steps before you edit the HTML document in online layout view in Microsoft Word 97.

Step 1: Change the Hyperlinks to Comments

a. Start Word 97, and open the HTML Document.

b. On the View menu, click HTML Source.

c. In HTML Source view, on the Edit menu, click Replace.

d. In the Find What box, type "<A HREF" (without the quotation marks).

e. In the Replace With box, type "<!-- <A HREF" (without the quotation

   marks).

g. In the Find What box, type "</A>" (without the quotation marks).

h. In the Replace With box, type "</A> -->" (without the quotation marks).

i. Click Replace All.

j. On the File menu, click Save.

k. Click the Exit HTML Source toolbar button.

Step 2: Make Your Changes in Online Layout View

Once you have changed the hyperlinks in your HTML document to comments, you can make changes to your HTML document in online layout. Once you have finished editing the HTML document, save the document and then follow the procedure in Step 3 to restore your hyperlinks.

When the hyperlinks are commented out, they will appear as hidden text. (To see hidden text, click the Show/Hide button on the Standard toolbar.)

Step 3: Restore the Hyperlinks

a. In Word 97, open your HTML Document.

b. On the View menu, click HTML Source.

c. In HTML Source view, on the Edit menu, click Replace.

d. In the Find What box, type "<!-- <A HREF" (without the quotation marks).

e. In the Replace With box, type "<A HREF" (without the quotation marks)

f. Click Replace All.

g. In the Find What box, type "</A> -->" (without the quotation marks).

h. In the Replace With box, type "</A>" (without the quotation marks).

i. Click Replace All.

j. On the File menu, click Save.

k. Click the Exit HTML Source toolbar button.

Following these steps will allow you to safely edit your html documents in Microsoft Word 97 while maintaining hyperlinks with the Target property.