We have performed x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Fe, Ni, and Co L _2,3 edges of in situ grown thin magnetic films. We compare electron yield measurements performed at SSRL and BESSY-I. Differences in the L _2,3 white line intensities are found for all three elements, comparing data from the two facilities. We propose a correlation between spectral intensities and the degree of spatial coherence of the exciting radiation. The electron yield saturation effects are stronger for light with a higher degree of spatial coherence. Therefore the observed, coherence related, intensity variations are due to an increase in the absorption coefficient, and not to secondary channel related effects.