Tabbing navigation
Encyclopedia
Tabbing navigation should not be confused with tabbed document interface
In computing
, tabbing navigation is the ability to navigate between focusable elements (such as hyperlink
s and form controls) within a structured document or user interface
(such as HTML
) with the tab key
of a computer keyboard
. Usually, pressing Tab will focus on the next element, while pressing Shift + Tab will focus on the previous element. The order of focusing can be determined implicitly (based on physical order) or explicitly (based on tab index). In general, tabbing is cyclical, not linear, meaning that the tabbing will cycle to the first/last element when it moves away from the last/first element.
fields (such as text entry) and anchors (such as links) in the order they appear in the character stream (i.e., in the raw HTML). This can be overridden by the page author using the tabindex attribute, or by disabling a form field.
At the client end, Mac OS X
defaults to only focusing text boxes and lists, but this setting can be overridden to allow navigation to all entries (see references). Mozilla Firefox
can similarly be customized to include or exclude navigation to text areas, other form elements, and anchors.
s support this kind of keyboard navigation. But in some web browsers like Opera
, an alternative method known as spatial navigation
is used. This method, in many cases, can save a lots of key presses. In addition, Mozilla Application Suite
and Mozilla Firefox
support caret navigation
, which provides a more natural way of document navigation similar to mouse navigation.
In computing
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
, tabbing navigation is the ability to navigate between focusable elements (such as hyperlink
Hyperlink
In computing, a hyperlink is a reference to data that the reader can directly follow, or that is followed automatically. A hyperlink points to a whole document or to a specific element within a document. Hypertext is text with hyperlinks...
s and form controls) within a structured document or user interface
User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
(such as HTML
HTML
HyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages....
) with the tab key
Tab key
Tab key on a keyboard is used to advance the cursor to the next tab stop.- Origin :The word tab derives from the word tabulate, which means "to arrange data in a tabular, or table, form"...
of a computer keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
. Usually, pressing Tab will focus on the next element, while pressing Shift + Tab will focus on the previous element. The order of focusing can be determined implicitly (based on physical order) or explicitly (based on tab index). In general, tabbing is cyclical, not linear, meaning that the tabbing will cycle to the first/last element when it moves away from the last/first element.
Customization
On web pages, by default tabbing navigates through formForm (web)
A webform on a web page allows a user to enter data that is sent to a server for processing. Webforms resemble paper or database forms because internet users fill out the forms using checkboxes, radio buttons, or text fields...
fields (such as text entry) and anchors (such as links) in the order they appear in the character stream (i.e., in the raw HTML). This can be overridden by the page author using the tabindex attribute, or by disabling a form field.
At the client end, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
defaults to only focusing text boxes and lists, but this setting can be overridden to allow navigation to all entries (see references). Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. , Firefox is the second most widely used browser, with approximately 25% of worldwide usage share of web browsers...
can similarly be customized to include or exclude navigation to text areas, other form elements, and anchors.
Alternatives
Most desktop applications and web browserWeb browser
A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
s support this kind of keyboard navigation. But in some web browsers like Opera
Opera (web browser)
Opera is a web browser and Internet suite developed by Opera Software with over 200 million users worldwide. The browser handles common Internet-related tasks such as displaying web sites, sending and receiving e-mail messages, managing contacts, chatting on IRC, downloading files via BitTorrent,...
, an alternative method known as spatial navigation
Spatial navigation
In computing, spatial navigation is the ability to navigate between focusable elements, such as hyperlinks and form controls, within a structured document or user interface according to the spatial location....
is used. This method, in many cases, can save a lots of key presses. In addition, Mozilla Application Suite
Mozilla Application Suite
The Mozilla Application Suite is a cross-platform integrated Internet suite. Its development was initiated by Netscape Communications Corporation, before their acquisition by AOL. It is based on the source code of Netscape Communicator...
and Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. , Firefox is the second most widely used browser, with approximately 25% of worldwide usage share of web browsers...
support caret navigation
Caret navigation
In computing, caret navigation is a kind of keyboard navigation where a caret is used to navigate within a text document...
, which provides a more natural way of document navigation similar to mouse navigation.
External links
- HTML 4: 17.11 Giving focus to an element / 17.11.1 Tabbing navigation – standard
- Mozilla Keyboard Navigation: Tabbing
- accessibility.tabfocus – preference field for customizing tabbing navigation
- How to tab focus onto a dropdown field in Mac OSX – discusses preference in Apple Menu > System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard Shortcuts