TabTasten

TabTasten, or the Tab keys, are keys on computer keyboards that serve two primary functions. In text editing, they insert a horizontal tab character or spaces to create indentation. In graphical user interfaces and forms, they move the keyboard focus to the next focusable element.

The term tabulator originates from typewriter tab stops, and the Tab key was adopted by computer keyboards to support both document formatting and interface navigation. In German-language contexts, TabTasten is the common label for these keys.

In practice, pressing Tab in text editors and IDEs typically inserts a tab character (ASCII 9) or a fixed number of spaces, depending on settings such as tab width. Common widths are 2, 4, or 8 characters. Many editors allow configuring whether Tab inserts real tabs or spaces. In form-based applications, Tab cycles forward through interactive controls; Shift+Tab cycles backward. Some keyboards, layouts, or operating systems (especially on laptops) may remap or combine the Tab key with other functions.

Tab order is an important aspect of usability and accessibility. In web development and GUI design, the focus order is controlled by the framework (for example, the tabindex attribute in HTML). Properly defined TabTasten support keyboard navigation for users who rely on the keyboard.