The web, with a keyboard — Tangent View

Keyboard navigation is an everyday way of using the web for many people. It also offers a useful perspective on the structure of a page.

Use the Tab key to move through interactive elements and look for a visible focus indicator. The order should make sense, and a dialog should offer a clear way to close it.

A page that works through more than one input method is more adaptable. Accessibility is part of the experience rather than an extra feature added at the end.

A few starting points

Follow the page’s tab order.
Look for a visible focus indicator.
Open and close an interactive panel.

Imagine a practical setting.

A visitor closing a dialog needs a sensible place to continue. Returning focus to the control that opened it preserves the surrounding task.

Before the next experiment.

A page has relationships as well as appearances. Make sure its structure still communicates those relationships when the layout changes or decoration disappears.