HTML - Global tabindex Attribute

The tabindex is an HTML global attribute that allows developers to make HTML elements focusable or prevent them from being sequentially focusable and determine the tab order of an element.

This tag accepts integer values and returns various results depending on the value of the number.

A negative value such as tabindex = "-1" means that the element is not reachable via sequential keyboard navigation.

Positive values indicate that the element should be focusable in sequential keyboard navigation, with the value of the number determining the element's order.

Syntax

Following is the syntax of the tabindex attribute −

<element tabindex = "" >

Example

In the following example, let’s see the usage of the tabindex attribute in the HTML document.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <style>
      div:focus {
         font-weight: bold;
      }
   </style>
</head>
<body>
   <p>Click anywhere in this page, then try tabbing through the elements.</p>
   <label>First in tab order: <input type="text">
   </label>
   <div tabindex="0">Tabbable due to tabindex.</div>
   <div>Not tabbable: no tabindex.</div>
   <label>Third in tab order: <input type="text">
   </label>
</body>
</html>

On running the above code, the output window will pop up displaying the inputfield provided with a tabindex on the webpage.

Example

Considering the following example, we are demonstrating a positive value for the tabindex attribute. With its order defined by the value of the number. That is, tabindex="2" is focused before tabindex="3" and tabindex = "0" but after tabindex="1".

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <style>
      p:focus {
         font-weight: bold;
      }
   </style>
</head>
<body>
   <h2>Click anywhere in this page, then try tabbing through the elements.</h2>
   <p tabindex="1">First in tab order</p>
   <p tabindex="2">Second in tab order</p>
   <p tabindex="3">Third in tab order </p>
</body>
</html>

When we run the above code, it will generate an output consisting of the text provided with tabindex displayed on the webpage.

Example

Let's look at the following example, we are using the negative value of the tabindex attribute. If we pass the negative value, the element is not reachable via sequential keyboard navigation.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <style>
      div:focus {
         font-weight: bold;
      }
   </style>
</head>
<body>
   <h2>Click anywhere in this page, then try tabbing through the elements.</h2>
   <div tabindex="-1">tabindex with -1 value!</div>
   <div tabindex="2">tabindex with 2 value!</div>
   <div tabindex="0">tabindex with 0 value!</div>
   <div tabindex="-2">tabindex with -2 value!</div>
</body>
</html>

On running the above code, the output window will pop up displaying the text provided with tabindex on the webpage.

html_attributes_reference.htm
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