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Tab and Shift-Tab on Forms

Computer forms are common, especially on the Internet. Forms often contain boxes where you type information like your name and address. 

Name Address  City State Zip

Tapping the Tab key on the keyboard moves the flashing cursor from one box to the next.  Try it in the sample form above.  Click in the box labeled name.  Type your name and then hit the Tab key.  The flashing cursor moves to the box labeled Address.

Holding down the Shift key while tapping the Tab key moves backward one box.  

Most of the time, the flashing cursor follows from one box to the next and you don't have any control of where it goes.  The tab order is set by the page designer. 

You can also use the mouse to move from field to field.  Simply left-click in the form field of your choice to place the flashing cursor in that box.

Learn more about forms on our Forms tip page.

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