How to Fix SharePoint Opening PDF Files in the Current Tab
Question details
Users want to know how to prevent PDF files from opening in the current active browser tab when clicked within a SharePoint library.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening and viewing PDF documents stored in a SharePoint document library or accessed via search results.
- Observed behavior
- PDF files load by replacing the current SharePoint browser tab, whereas standard Microsoft Office files open automatically in a new tab or window.
Verify whether your organization is using the modern or classic SharePoint experience, as default file-handling behaviors and administrative settings differ significantly between the two versions.
Use the Browser Context Menu
Bypass SharePoint's default click behavior by manually instructing your browser to open the file in a new tab.
Because PDFs are treated as third-party file formats in modern SharePoint environments, they do not trigger the native Office Online viewer that normally opens Microsoft files in a new tab. Using your browser's built-in right-click menu is the most reliable and immediate workaround to avoid losing your place in the document library.
Navigate to the SharePoint document library or search results page where your target PDF is located.
Hover your mouse over the PDF file name and right-click to open your web browser's context menu.
Select 'Open link in new tab' or 'Open link in new window' from the dropdown menu to keep your SharePoint list active in the original tab.
Download the PDF to View Locally
Download the file to your computer to view and edit it without browser tab limitations.
Manage SharePoint PDFs Locally with WPS Office
Since SharePoint restricts how third-party files open in the browser, downloading your PDFs to view and edit them locally is often more efficient. WPS Office is a free, lightweight suite that handles both Office formats and PDFs seamlessly.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free office suite on your device.
- 2. Download the PDF from SharePoint: Select your PDF file in SharePoint and click the 'Download' button from the top menu bar to save it locally.
- 3. Open and Edit: Launch WPS Office and open your downloaded PDF file for a powerful, distraction-free viewing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint treat PDFs differently than Word or Excel files?
Modern SharePoint integrates natively with Office Online, which automatically instructs Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files to open in a new tab. Because PDF is considered a third-party file format by Microsoft, the browser handles the click using its default navigation behavior, which simply replaces the current tab.
Can site administrators force PDFs to open in a new tab by default?
In the older classic SharePoint experience, administrators could inject custom JavaScript to modify how links behaved. However, the modern SharePoint experience restricts this level of DOM manipulation to ensure security and stability, making the right-click method the standard workaround for users.
Does this issue happen when opening PDFs from SharePoint search results?
Yes. Search results in SharePoint often use standard redirect links that load in the current tab regardless of whether it is a PDF or an Office file. You will need to right-click search results and select 'Open in new tab' to ensure your original search page remains active.
