Sublime Text 2 - Files not opening a new tab?

Solution 1:

Ironically, this is a feature and not a bug. Sublime Text 2 calls it a preview. You are presented with the contents of a file without actually opening the file. This is a confusing concept for new users but is certainly helpful. A tab for the preview should appear as soon as you begin editing the file or when you double-click on the file in the sidebar.

This has been discussed more in depth on the ST forum in "2 OS X Bugs".

Personally, I believe this should be more clear. I've proposed some additions to the preview feature that can be found in "I Present To You: The Sublime Manifesto".

Note: As of Build 2198 (released in early June) there is a new setting:

// Preview file contents when clicking on a file in the side bar. Double
// clicking or editing the preview will open the file and assign it a tab.
"preview_on_click": true

Setting preview_on_click to false will disable the single-click preview while double-clicking will still open the file. This setting should clear up some confusion.

Solution 2:

When you open from the side bar are you double clicking? This appears to be required to properly open a file. A single click gives you a preview which is editable, new tab appears on edit.

Solution 3:

Problem resolved:

Use Double click instead of single click for opening a file in a new tab, which is located in the sidebar of sublime text editor.

Solution 4:

Go to Sublime --> preferences --> Settings - Default

Change the value of "open_files_in_new_window" to false and save. Now files should be opened in a new tab instead of new window.