APPLICATION DESIGN

Specifying a target frame
In addition to adding content to a frame, you can target a specific frame of a frameset so that data and links open in the target frame. You specify a target frame in the Frame Properties box or in the Properties boxes of many other elements (such as the properties boxes for pages, forms, outline entries, embedded outlines, group scheduler, and hotspot resources).

It is possible to set multiple target frames that appear to conflict with each other. For example, you can set a target frame on an outline entry, an embedded outline that contains that outline entry, the page that contains that embedded outline, or on a frame that contains the page. Which target frame takes precedence?

The general rule is that the most specific element takes precedence. In this case, it is the outline entry which takes precedence. If you have not specified a target frame in the outline entry, then the target frame set in the embedded outline takes precedence. If you have not specified a target frame in the embedded outline, then the target frame set in the page containing the embedded outline takes precedence. And if you have not specified a target frame in the page, then the target frame set in the frame takes precedence.

If you have not specified a target frame anywhere in this hierarchy, the link opens in the frame that contains the link. If you specify a target frame that does not exist, the link opens in a new, top-level window.

Note that an embedded view and a view have the same level of precedence. Note also that if a frame contains a page with an embedded view applet, then clicking a document in the embedded view applet actually opens a new window which overwrites the original window.

For more information on specifying a target frame for an individual link or element, see the online help for that element's properties box.

Note Remember to specify a name in the Frame Properties box for any frame that is going to be a target frame.

See Also