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How to Open SharePoint Embed Web Part Links in a New Tab
Question details
The user needs a way to force links inside a SharePoint Embed web part to open in a new browser tab because they fail to connect when clicked within the iframe.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A site owner is embedding an external website onto a SharePoint page, but the internal links within that embedded site are blocked from loading.
- Observed behavior
- Links clicked inside the embedded website fail to connect within the SharePoint frame, but they function correctly when opened directly in a new browser tab.
Verify whether the external website you are trying to embed has restricted cross-origin framing policies, as this server-side restriction is the primary reason embedded links fail to connect.
Use the SharePoint Link Web Part as a Workaround
Since the Embed web part cannot override the embedded site's native navigation behavior or security headers, replacing it with a Link web part allows users to safely open the destination in a new tab.
SharePoint's Embed web part relies on HTML iframes, meaning any site you embed retains its own navigation rules. If the embedded site's server enforces strict security policies (like X-Frame-Options or Content-Security-Policy), its internal links will refuse to connect inside the SharePoint frame. To bypass this, you must use a web part designed to direct users outside of the iframe.
Navigate to your SharePoint page and click the 'Edit' button in the top right corner to modify the page layout.
Select the existing Embed web part where the links are failing to connect, and click the trash can icon on the left toolbar to delete it.
Hover over the section where you want the link to appear, click the '+' icon to add a new web part, search for 'Link', and select it from the menu.
Paste the URL of the external website. The Link web part will generate a visual preview that users can click to open the site safely in a new browser tab, bypassing all iframe restrictions.
Need a Lightweight Alternative to Microsoft Office?
If you are managing files alongside your SharePoint sites and find Microsoft Office too heavy or expensive, WPS Office is a perfect lightweight alternative. It offers full compatibility with standard formats without the steep subscription costs.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the quick installation prompts.
- 3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Office to easily create, edit, and save your Office files with full format compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do links in my SharePoint Embed web part say 'refused to connect'?
This happens when the embedded website's server has strict security headers (such as X-Frame-Options or Content Security Policy). These settings actively block the site or its internal links from being loaded inside an iframe on another domain to prevent clickjacking attacks.
Can I force a SharePoint iframe to open links in a new window using HTML?
Unfortunately, SharePoint's modern page environment restricts advanced script execution. You cannot inject standard HTML target='_blank' attributes into an external site's iframe through the basic Embed web part.
Is there any way to make the Embed web part work natively for these links?
Only if you have administrative access to the external website being embedded. If you do, you can modify its server security headers to explicitly allow cross-origin framing from your specific SharePoint domain.
