Force window.open() to create new tab in chrome

I use window.open to populate a new window with varying content. Mostly reports and stored HTML from automated processes.

I have noticed some very inconsistent behavior with Chrome with respect to window.open().

Some of my calls will create a new tab (preferred behavior) and some cause popups.

var w = window.open('','_new');
w.document.write(page_content);

page_content is just regular HTML from AJAX calls. Reports contain some information in the header like title, favicon, and some style sheets.

In IE9 the code does cause a new tab instead of a pop-up, while Chrome flatly refuses to show the content in question in a new tab. Since the content is sensitive business data I cannot post it here. I'll answer questions if I can.

I know some people will say this is behavior left up to the user, but this is an internal business platform. We don't have time to train all the users on how to manage popups, and we just need it to be in a new tab. Heck, even a new window would be preferable to the popup since you cannot dock a popup in Chrome. Not to mention none of the popup blocking code would affect it.

Appreciate any insight.

window.open must be called within a callback which is triggered by a user action (example onclick) for the page to open in a new tab instead of a window.

Example:

$("a.runReport").click(function(evt) {
    // open a popup within the click handler
    // this should open in a new tab
    var popup = window.open("about:blank", "myPopup");

    //do some ajax calls
    $.get("/run/the/report", function(result) {
        // now write to the popup
        popup.document.write(result.page_content);

        // or change the location
        // popup.location = 'someOtherPage.html';
    });
});

You can try this:

<a href="javascript:openWindow();">open a new tab please</a>

<script>
    function openWindow(){
        var w = window.open("about:blank");
        w.document.write("heheh new page opened");
    }
</script>