Open file in a new window

Question

Hi All,
I am adding a file item to a folder in a content area. The folder is published as a portlet on a page. Now when the user clicks on the file item, I want the file to open in a new window. I know its possible to do it when you add an URL item where there is a option where you can select the item to open in a new window. But in case of a file item, I did not find any way for openiging it in a new window. I would like to know how to open the file in a new window and if there is a workaround for the same.
I am using portal version 30.6.6.5.
Thanks
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Answer 1

Here's a solution for Portal 3.0.8 or later that allows you to open a file in a new browser window. It requires that you create a custom item type, and use a procedure to display a link to the file.
1. Create the following procedure. You can create it in any schema, but the schema has to have select privilege on the view 'WWSBR_ALL_ITEMS' in the portal schema. In this example, the portal schema is PORTAL30. If you're running version 3.0.8, you'll also need to apply the patch to bug 1724250.
Create or Replace PROCEDURE OPEN_FILE (p_itemid IN NUMBER) as
fileURL varchar2(1024);
baseURL varchar2(256) := '/pls/portal30/docs/';
begin
select baseURL | | filename into fileURL
from portal30.wwsbr_all_items
where id = p_ItemId;
htp.p ('Open File');
EXCEPTION
when NO_DATA_FOUND then
htp.p('Document not found or access denied');
when others then
htp.p(sqlerrm);
end;
The procedure generates a link to the item filename with a target of "_blank", which opens the file in a new browser window. Replace the baseURL attribute value with the correct Database Access Descriptor (DAD) and Document Access Path ("/docs") for your site.
2. Grant execute on the procedure to the portal public schema. The name of this schema is <portal schema>PUBLIC. So if your portal schema is PORTAL30, grant execute on the procedure to PORTAL30PUBLIC.
3. Create a custom item type, using the base item type of "File". I recommend that you create the type in the Shared Objects content area, so it can be used in other content areas (from the Navigator, go to the Content Areas tab, select Contents for Shared Objects, Custom Types, and Item Types - Create). Edit the new type and go to the Procedures tab.
4. In the Procedure Call Properties, enter:
[list]
[*]Type: PL/SQL
[*]Procedure Call: <your procedure schema>.OPEN_FILE
[*]Link Text: Open File (it doesn't matter what you put here - it only displays if "Display Procedure Results With Item" is unchecked.)
[*]Check "Display Procedure Results With Item"
[list]
5. Under "Pass Attributes as Parameters", enter:
[list]
[*]Attribute: Item Id
[*]Pass As: p_itemid
[list]
(Notice how you can pass most of an item's attributes to a procedure. You can take advantage of this feature to write procedures that give you precise control over the rendering of your items).
6. In the properties for the content areas in which the new type is to be used, go to the Items tab. Specify that you want the new type to be visible. You may want to hide the base File item type, so users won't be confused by two different item types for files.
7. Edit the folder style for the content area. Go to Folder Layout. Edit the region properties for each region in which you will be using the new item type. For each region, replace "Display Name or Image" with "Display Name". "Display Name or Image" will render the Display Name as a link to your file that opens the file in the same browser window. "Display Name" simply renders the display name as text, with no link.
8. Now you can create items of the new item type. Each item's Display Name will appear next to a link that says "Open File". Clicking the link will cause the file to open in a new browser window.
Hope you find this useful.
Regards,
Jerry