# Bug - Formatted External Links in Preview Window

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/bug-formatted-external-links-in-preview-window/161736
**Category:** UX
**Created:** [August 22, 2020, 7:04am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/bug-formatted-external-links-in-preview-window/161736 "2020-08-22T07:04:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![lucaviness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/lucaviness/32/245089_2.png) [@lucaviness](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lucaviness)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2020, 7:04am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/bug-formatted-external-links-in-preview-window/161736/1 "2020-08-22T07:04:48Z")

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I came across this bug just a minute ago (desktop). When in the editing window, if you italicize or bold a bracketed link, it will a) be clickable in the preview window and b) will not open a new tab.

If the link is not formatted, it will not be clickable.

* * *

#### Steps to Reproduce

1. Go to your forum preferences \> interface \> other. Make sure “Open all external links in a new tab” is checked.

2. Open the editing window (reply, PM, topic, etc)

3. Type:

`[**test**](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse)`

1. Click on the outcome in the preview window

* * *

Hope this helps!

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### Author: ![JimPas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/jimpas/32/148179_2.png) [@JimPas](https://meta.discourse.org/u/JimPas)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2020, 3:46am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/bug-formatted-external-links-in-preview-window/161736/2 "2020-08-23T03:46:33Z")

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Just tested this on my site.  
When formatted the link in the preview pane is both  
a) clickable in the preview window; and  
b) **_does_ open in a new tab.**

If the link is not formatted the link is not clickable in the preview window as you state. 🙂

Once the reply is saved, it is clickable and does open in a new tab.  
Normally I’ll just use the hyperlink icon in the reply to add a link and text and so far as I remember, they’ve always been clickable and open in a new tab from the preview pane. I usually format the text/hyperlink after creating it.

I have my personal preference set to `open all external links in a new tab.`

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### Author: ![lucaviness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/lucaviness/32/245089_2.png) [@lucaviness](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lucaviness)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2020, 3:49am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/bug-formatted-external-links-in-preview-window/161736/3 "2020-08-23T03:49:12Z")

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Thanks for your input! Very odd, since I have `open all external links in a new tab` on. It does not open a new tab on my primary site and this forum.

I’ll test your method of using the link icon and let you know how that goes.

Thanks again!

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### Author: ![neounix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/neounix/32/215617_2.png) [@neounix](https://meta.discourse.org/u/neounix)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2020, 6:02am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/bug-formatted-external-links-in-preview-window/161736/4 "2020-08-23T06:02:00Z")

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> [@lucaviness](#):
>
> [**test**](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse)

Hi @lucaviness

Just tested as you described and it worked correctly as expected:

 ![Screen Shot 2020-08-23 at 1.00.03 PM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/e/a/eab66c3c732a8d12d0ea190b7729adeadfcf1edd.jpeg)

Discourse version: 2.6.0.beta2

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![j.jaffeux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/j.jaffeux/32/60297_2.png) [@j.jaffeux](https://meta.discourse.org/u/j.jaffeux)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2020, 6:02am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/bug-formatted-external-links-in-preview-window/161736/5 "2020-08-27T06:02:07Z")

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