
- #Transmit 5 open files in tabs instead of new windwos pdf#
- #Transmit 5 open files in tabs instead of new windwos software#
- #Transmit 5 open files in tabs instead of new windwos windows#
#Transmit 5 open files in tabs instead of new windwos windows#
People are not dumb: they will realize the intent behind the extra windows and tabs, and may start to distrust your site and brand.Users will have to switch to the new window or tab to complete their task and there’s no guarantee that they will return to your site afterwards.By gratuitously adding an extra window or tab, you are increasing users’ information-management burden.Even though this may be true and sometimes even helpful (especially, as mentioned before, if users need to refer back to your site to finish their task), you also have to remember the following: This line of reasoning assumes that the tab or window containing your site will remain open and serve as a long(er)-term reminder for users.
#Transmit 5 open files in tabs instead of new windwos pdf#
However, if I were on desktop and needed to reference both the PDF and the website together, opening it in a new window might be better.

Since I’m on my mobile phone, opening the PDF in the same tab would preserve the back button and better suit my channel, context, and task. In the second case, I may need to reference information back on the website where the directions were originally linked. For example, in one case, I may need to print off a PDF of a flyer to post on the wall in my office, but in another, I may refer to a multipage PDF of directions on my mobile phone, to assemble a piece of furniture. In the first case, opening the PDF in a new tab would be favorable, as I’ll likely finish with the document after printing and close out of it. This argument is problematic however, because it assumes users will always do the exact same things with certain file formats, which isn’t always the case.
#Transmit 5 open files in tabs instead of new windwos software#
For example, someone doing their taxes may need to refer to a document describing various laws and regulations in detail in one window, with tax-preparation software open in another. There is generally one good reason to open a page in a new window, and that is that the user will need to refer to that content in order to complete a task in another window.

All of these also apply to opening new browser tabs and are still valid today:

Since 1999, it's been a firm web-usability guideline to refrain from opening new browser windows for several reasons.
