Opening files In same tab, new tab, or new window: A flexible & consistent UI proposal

[vassudanagunta]

There are three ways files can be opened:

1. Same Tab
2. New Tab
3. New Window

Everyone prefers a different thing. The way to satisfy everyone is to let them configure default behavior, and to give them a an easy way to override the default by holding down a meta key.

(This proposal is intended to apply to all platforms, but the specifics below are given only for macOS.)

File menu: customizable New and Open behavior

Safari has an "Open Pages in Tabs Instead of Windows" setting. I propose Typora have a similar setting that governs File:New and File:Open menu commands:

"Open files in same tab | new tab | new window" (dropdown selection)

Regardless of the chosen default behavior, the user can can get any of the other behaviors by holding down a meta-key while clicking on the menu command (see below).

Sidebar and Markdown link navigation

The sidebar is perceived as a navigation bar. Clicks in it should by default work the same as clicks on Markdown links to local files in the content: as navigation to that file. People expect navigation to take place in the same view port, i.e. in the same tab. Nav side bars in almost all apps, including web browsers, behave this way by default.

The user can have the file open in a new tab or window by holding down a meta-key while clicking on the link (see below). This is also how most other apps work.

Meta-keys for keyboard shortcuts & mouse clicks

Each variation same tab, new tab and new window for opening a file or link will be associated with a particular combination of the meta-keys ⌘ (command), ⌥ (option) and ⇧ (shift).

Consistent meaning for each meta-key combinations is important to avoid user confusion, and to facilitate muscle memory.

UI action	open in new tab ⌘	open in same tab ⌘⇧	open in new window ⌘⌥	default behavior (no meta key)
File:New keyboard shortcut	⌘ N	⌘⇧ N	⌘⌥ N
File:Open keyboard shortcut	⌘ O	⌘⇧ O	⌘⌥ O
click File:New or File:Open in menu	⌘ click	⌘⇧ click	⌘⌥ click	per "Open file in" setting (see above)
click file in sidebar	⌘ click	click	⌘⌥ click	open in same tab
click Markdown link in content	⌘ click	⌘⇧ click	⌘⌥ click	edit link text (⌘K to edit URL)

ℹ️ The default "click Markdown link to local file" behavior above is consistent with how most editors of hyperlinked text work, including all Apple apps. This would resolve Issue #1313.

ℹ️ It would be nice to be consistent with Safari, the app where most people on macOS develop their muscle memory for tab-oriented keyboard shortcuts. Safari has a nice feature: The "Open Pages in Tabs Instead of Windows" also governs the the meta key mappings, such that the selected default behavior gets the easier ⌘-click and the other behavior gets the ⌘⌥-click. We could do that with Typora too. Essentially when a user chooses a different default, we swap the columns to which the meta keys are assigned above.

‼️ Currently in Typora ⌘ has inconsistent meaning. ⌘-clicks in the sidebar open a new window, while ⌘-clicks on links in the content open in same tab.

[gandalfsaxe]

That would be great.

Is there any way to open a file in a new tab in an existing window now? Every time I try, it will also open in a new window, not a new tab, no matter what I do. The only way to use multiple tabs in Typora at this moment seems to be when creating new files? I hope I'm wrong.

[gandalfsaxe]

I've found one method solution so far: Window->Merge all windows. Not ideal, because you may not want to merge all windows (that is not minimized), but at least there is a way.

[AlexPasternak]

@GandalfSaxe, if you're talking about macOS, it sounds like you want to turn on the “Prefer tabs when opening documents” option in sysprefs. With this on (set to Always), existing files open in new tabs for me in Typora.

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH25244?locale=en_US

[gandalfsaxe]

Ah yes that's nice. Still doesn't negate the need for manual control in Typora (I like @vassudanagunta 's proposal), but I do prefer tabs most of the time, and while there seems to be no way to combining window, you can always pull out a tab to it's own window.

[EvgenyVetrov]

please make open files in current window on simple click.... o make many settings for opening links and clicking and shortcuts

[vassudanagunta]

@EvgenyVetrov I believe my design above satisfies your desires. Yes?

[vassudanagunta]

@abnerlee I edited the proposal to make it easier to understand, and I added some more info.

Where do you stand on it? It is one of the most upvoted Issues :)

[abnerlee]

@vassudanagunta again, thanks for your proposal.

Currently, or in near feature, I would prefer provide the option Open Pages in Tabs Instead of Windows to meet the needs about open in Tab.

I think navigate (#1154) would be needed if we want to support open in same tab.

[nanoant]

@abnerlee I can see that #2253 was closed as duplicate of this one. But this is feature request, whereas in #2253 was a bug report - I was stating that Ctrl+N File > New and Ctrl+Shift+N File > New Window essentially both do the same - open new window with new file, where bottom left corner file list + is not exposed via menu or keyboard - opens new file in the current window. I would appreciate if you could confirm if this is a bug and if yes - whether this will be fixed. Thank you.

[vassudanagunta]

@abnerlee I think it's perfectly fine not to support navigation (open in same tab), as that is what most editors do.

But what makes Typora stand out amongst the crowd is the WYSIWYG feel of Typora. If links worked as they would in published form, it makes Typora even more beautiful. You know that joy people feel when things work beautifully and naturally, like when the iPhone first came out? That feeling. Typora has some of that now, and it could have even more :)

I use Typora to edit a collection of pages that get published via static site generator. It would be so nice to be able to navigate my work-in-progress without having to generate HTML. It's like the difference between writing in a complied language like C and writing in an interpreted language like Javascript or Python.

[mbartelsm]

What is the status on this issue? The initial proposal is over a year old and similar issues are regularly closed and linked here, yet nothing seems to come out of it.

[trib0r3]

I will bump up this issue, devs what is the status? @abnerlee

[pathikb]

New user here. Is there really no way to create a "New File" using a keyboard shortcut in Typora?

[sgon00]

My two issues are closed as duplicated and merged in this issue:

https://github.com/typora/typora-issues/issues/3525 https://github.com/typora/typora-issues/issues/3526

But when I read this issue's description proposal, I feel they are not really talking about the same thing. So I would like to clarify. The two issues are not about Same Tab, New Tab or New Window at all. The two issues are about active window should be switched to an existing window instance in two different cases. But currently, one issue opens a duplicated window instance. Another issue doesn't change the active window.

Thanks.

Edited:

By switching active window, I mean Alt +Tab behavior in Linux/Windows, Cmd + Tab behavior in Mac. To be more specific, what wmctrl does in Linux.

[WAcry]

We all know that it costs much more seconds to load to open a new window on Windows. It is weird that why not just switch the file based on hyperlink, and just offer a back button, instead of opening 100 windows at the same time.

[xypnox]

Has there been a progress on this for Linux?

The initial commit says that on mac:

Currently in Typora ⌘ has inconsistent meaning. ⌘-clicks in the sidebar open a new window, while ⌘-clicks on links in the content open in same tab.

But afaik there is no such shortcut for Linux, Ctrl+Click opens a link in new window. Is there a different shortcut on Linux or would the support for the same added later?

[jlctools]

I'd love a way to open links in the same Tab/Window. I'm working on a project that generates a set of .md files that link to each other. I'd like to be able to navigate between them like a website.

I have not seen tabs in Typora, but the Sidebar + File Tree works very well for me.

[vassudanagunta]

I'm working on a project that generates a set of .md files that link to each other. I'd like to be able to navigate between them like a website.

Exactly!!! Navigating linked content one is authoring should be the same as being able to scroll up or down in a page one is authoring.

[sweetwong]

I can't use Ctrl + Shirt in Windows 10 to open in same tab.

[ghost]

FWIW, on Mac Cmd + Left-click on a file in the file tree and on a link in a document opens the file in a new tab if you have “Prefer tabs when opening documents” set in System Preferences. That at least meets my needs but it'd be even better to meet more people's needs!

Version 0.9.9.36.2 (4901)

[Strajk]

@TomaisLeannan wow, thanks! I had no idea this exists.

[baterflyrity]

So... 3 years have passed but it appers very very hard to fix link click behaviour! Now i can clearly proclaim that typora is dead(( Bye, gone to alternative.

[xypnox]

@baterflyrity Could you suggest some alternatives for Typora if you have found any? Others in the thread can also chip in.

[baterflyrity]

@xypnox , sure. What about ReText? It is written in Python 3, can be installed on any platform simply with pip, is open source, was released 7 days ago and opens local links in tabs.

[vassudanagunta]

@baterflyrity @xypnox

WYSIWYG is why people use Typora, even though it is not entirely WYSIWYG. ReText it not WYSIWYG - it's got side-by-side editor and preview panes. There are a lot of editors that do that. Few do WYSIWYG.

There is one WYSIWYG Markdown editor that I need to give another try now that time has passed (3 years!). MarkText. It's WYSIWYG, hopefully more so than Typora. And it's open source, unlike Typora. It has over 100 contributors, 1.5k commits and 18k stars.

If anyone has experience with MarkText, please share!

/cc @pgolebiowski @AlexPasternak

[baterflyrity]

@vassudanagunta thanks i try this one.

[pgolebiowski]

I haven't used Typora in years now

[vassudanagunta]

@pgolebiowski what do you use?

[pgolebiowski]

just vscode but without the preview, turns out I don't need rendering, let alone wysiwyg, syntax coloring is enough xd

[xypnox]

I switched from typora to VSCode+Dendron and it has changed a lot in the way I take notes. Also cross linking via [[para]] and refactorable hierarchies have been a blessing.

I still use typora sometimes as a secondary editor for long form content but that is 2% of the times I use it for markdown now.

I should also add that dendron in it's current state is more suited for developers and may feel overwhelming or confusing if you do not use IDEs or advanced text editors.

[apfernandes]

Open links in same window is the most useful and obvious feature that Typora does not have. Sorry, but this is an APP that I use everyday and love. It's just dumb, stubborn and stupid that this simple feature is not available. Yes and I have purchased it.

[fgimian]

@baterflyrity @xypnox

WYSIWYG is why people use Typora, even though it is not entirely WYSIWYG. ReText it not WYSIWYG - it's got side-by-side editor and preview panes. There are a lot of editors that do that. Few do WYSIWYG.

There is one WYSIWYG Markdown editor that I need to give another try now that time has passed (3 years!). MarkText. It's WYSIWYG, hopefully more so than Typora. And it's open source, unlike Typora. It has over 100 contributors, 1.5k commits and 18k stars.

If anyone has experience with MarkText, please share!

/cc @pgolebiowski @AlexPasternak

I just wanted to comment on MarkText. I think it's an awesome initiative but it's not at the level of Typora in various ways yet. The Markdown it produces is much messier (many empty lines in output). The editor also often scrolls unpredictably which makes it rather frustrating to use.

However, it does offer tabs and is a very nice program that I think has the most potential for the future. The devs made some major improvements in the most recent release and seem to be very receptive to feedback. So I have no doubt that in time, it will be on par with Typora in all the ways that it is weaker.

Personally, I think Typora is awesome with the main omission being tabs or simply the ability to open documents easily within the current window. I personally don't care as much about tabs, but having a new window popup when you search for a document is a bit of a dealbreaker (for me).

One of the areas that Typora also suffers is the English translation. The grammar in the application is not quite right for those of us who are native English speakers. MarkText seems to be much better in that regard IMHO.

[samhdee]

Would just like to bump up this issue, as it looks like a lot of people really want this feature to happen and I am one of them.

[LiuSubject]

Hi, i'm like use to typora, but i don't konw why this is miss. So, please, because no other method can compare with the built-in function.

[blurayne]

No one NEEDS tabs! Use text mode and edit your markdown with vim!

[baterflyrity]

No one NEEDS tabs! Use text mode and edit your markdown with vim!

Sorry, last time I wrote my beauty blog in vim ended I could not quit so reinstalled OS on my Mac in service center.

[vassudanagunta]

@blurayne please don't spam Typora users with your personal opinion here. It's both silly and obnoxious. If you want to convert people, write a blog post, or tweet your one liner if you can't be bothered to write more.

[blurayne]

The silly thing is that I paid for that thing and there seems IS NO Linux support and users are treated like garbage.

The WYSIWYM editor is the best among the Markdown editors I tested.

But unfortunately there only seems to be some Mac/Windows maintenance and features people demand are not really discussed since the devs are very close minded. You can have a strong opinions - sure - that is what makes Typora to what it is. Simply but also very strong and well thought. But please don't just use pseudo-arguments and just close tickets. GitHub issues is a place for OpenSource. If you want dictatorship please open your own bug tracker!

Take as example a tab: sure you can use your windows manager for tiling or tab switch but the real issue ist a) you can open the same file over and over again b) you may end up with a long list of windows that are better suited in a window with tabs.

So, your argument NOT to implement this feature is... ?!

[vassudanagunta]

The silly thing is that I paid for that thing and there seems IS NO Linux support and users are treated like garbage.

You had a free trial period to figure this out, and even 30 days to get a refund.

While I don't agree with all of @abnerlee's decisions he doesn't act as you say. You just happen to not like his decisions.

The WYSIWYM editor is the best among the Markdown editors I tested.

Exactly. Why do you think there aren't more competitors or better? Yet you whine and act entitled to have even more for $15 even though nothing was promised other than the product as it stood when you bought it and you had plenty of time to evaluate it before paying.

features people demand

This is not a subscription model. Why does anybody get to demand anything more than what they got? Jeezus, the entitlement of people these days.

If @abnerlee fails to meet peoples expectations for $15, he will go out of business. If better products come out for $15 or even $30 he will also likely go out of business. But where are they?

pseudo-arguments

No, it's just that you don't like them. As I said, I don't agree with many of @abnerlee's decisions, but I don't act entitled and unappreciative as you do.

and just close tickets

I'd rather he close tickets that he doesn't intend to address rather than keeping them open and implying that he will address them.

If he is making bad decision after bad decision, then everybody would jump ship for another solution. There's MarkText, for example. Why don't you switch to that? It's open source, and you can fork and implement all these things you think are easy to decide and implement. I'd like to see how you do.

Oh wait. You've contributed zilch to the community in the past year (and despite all the fluff in your bio). From the looks of it you've never contributed anything anyone has found useful. Ever. Oh sorry. I forgot about the great wisdom that you so freely and kindly gift to people.

GitHub issues is a place for OpenSource.

That's long been NOT true. Open source is just given a free ride. And a quick glance at the (logged out) home page and pricing plans confirms not only this, but that free rides are also given to non-open source.

Take as example a tab...

I have no clue what you're saying here, but I'm done. I don't have time to school you. Typora does support tabs. My proposal above is about UX. It's a nice-to-have, and I think it would make Typora more elegant and easy to use. That's it.

Bye!

[Note to self: Why do I waste my time on people with attitudes like this?]

[stupenrose]

Voting for this feature - this is basically the only thing that feels lacking in any way for me with how I use Typora.

[baterflyrity]

Voting for this feature - this is basically the only thing that feels lacking in any way for me with how I use Typora.

Forget - its dead.

[stuartro]

The simple solution—at least, which works just fine for me—is:

defaults write -app Typora AppleWindowTabbingMode -string always

NOTE: Quit Typora before running the above command in a terminal. New "open docs as tabs behaviour" will take effect when Typora is next launched.

You can change always to never or manual if you want to revert behaviour.

[orrd]

There are a lot of comments on this issue, but I think the current status is that there is still no way to make it use tabs at all if you're using it with Windows? And there isn't any recommended alternative WYSIWYG MD editor?

Edit: I ended up switching to https://obsidian.md/. It does quite a bit more than just editing MD files, but it ended up being a good solution for me. And it uses tabs (except it doesn't open new files in a new tab by default, but at least it offers tabs).

[baterflyrity]

There are a lot of comments on this issue, but I think the current status is that there is still no way to make it use tabs at all if you're using it with Windows? And there isn't any recommended alternative WYSIWYG MD editor?

Edit: I ended up switching to https://obsidian.md/. It does quite a bit more than just editing MD files, but it ended up being a good solution for me. And it uses tabs (except it doesn't open new files in a new tab by default, but at least it offers tabs).

Agree - no way to use this on Windows. Try Joplin.

[orrd]

I tried Joplin, but it isn't designed to edit your own MD files, it stores your notes in its own data vault (you can export the notes, but I wanted something that can edit MD files in a folder as they are).

[cvzakharchenko]

Now that I see the state of abandonment in these issues, I regret that I bought Typora today in 2024.

[bkane-msft]

@cvzakharchenko , I too wish for some Typora improvements (most notably folding code blocks), but I still think that at $15 for a lifetime license, Typora brings amazing value to my workflow (and I've tried a lot of apps).

[cvzakharchenko]

@cvzakharchenko , I too wish for some Typora improvements (most notably folding code blocks), but I still think that at $15 for a lifetime license, Typora brings amazing value to my workflow (and I've tried a lot of apps).

Thanks for an interesting write-up! I agree, that $15 for a lifetime is a steal. And despite so many other options, nothing is really perfect. But I still wish linking would work better in Typora.

• Opening a link in the same window
• [[Wikilinks]]
• Links autoupdate, when files move
• Link autocomplete on typing Otherwise, link support is very bare-bones right now.

[QNimbus]

I was also looking for the ability to open multiple documents in one Typora application window using tabs (in Windows 11). The workaround I've found that allows tabs while using Typora is a utility called 'Groupy' (from Stardock). It's unfortunately not free but it does have a 30-day trial which I'm using in the meantime.....

Still hoping for Typora to support this natively though ;-)