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This article will show you how to Enable Tab-Key Navigation on Mac. Most web browsers let you move between page elements with the Tab key, which is useful. However, since Mac OS came out, the new default behavior in Safari seems to limit what the Tab key can pick on a page. You’ll need to change the following keyboard settings in macOS Safari and Firefox for full keyboard navigation of all focusable interactive features.
Many people use computer shortcuts in their browser to move between pages and tries to give our users as many ways to access our site as possible. On Windows computers, you can use the Tab key to move between all the buttons and links on a site that you can click on. But by default, the Tab key on an Apple computer will skip over plain links.
This can be annoying for people who use the keyboard to get around our site. One problem is that, for some strange reason, full keyboard navigation is not turned on by default in Mac OS X computer browsers. They do work with the computer, but you have to turn it on. In some situations, it’s very easy, and in others, you have to put in a little more effort.
Safari
- Open your Safari browser, then go to Safari on the menu bar and choose Preferences.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- Mark the accessibility option that lets you Press Tab to highlight each item on a webpage.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome has tab-key scrolling turned on by default, but if it has been turned off, here’s how to turn it back on.
- Open your Google Chrome browser, then go to Chrome on the menu bar and choose Preferences.
- Scroll down to the Appearance section.
- Enable the option called Pressing Tab on a webpage highlights links, as well as form fields.
Firefox
Firefox doesn’t have a setting for using the tab key to move around, so you may need to change the system options on your Mac.
- Press Option-F5 to open keyboard preferences. (If nothing happens, press fn-Option-F5.)
- Click the Shortcuts tab at the top of the window.
- Mark the All controls option at the bottom of the window under Full Keyboard Access.
FAQs
With Full Keyboard Access turned on, you can use the Tab key and other keys to move around on your Mac instead of using a mouse or keyboard. Full Keyboard Access shows the thing on the screen that is in the center of attention.
So, if you know what keys to press together to turn on the Tab key, you can just try it. You can also try one of the general combos below: Press the Alt key twice, and then check to see if the Tab key works again. Hold down the Alt key, then press and release the 0, 0, and 9 number keys on your computer.
On your Mac, open a text. For example, use the TextEdit app to open a file. Click the New Tab button in the document’s tab bar or, if present, choose File > New Tab. If you can’t see the tab bar, go to View > Show Tab Bar.