focusable

Focusable refers to elements in a user interface that can receive keyboard focus, becoming the active element in a document. When an element is focused, it typically receives keyboard input and may show a visual indicator such as a focus ring. Focus management is a core aspect of accessibility and keyboard navigation.

In web content, many elements are focusable by default, including links with href, buttons, inputs, textareas, selects, and areas with href. Elements such as iframes, and media elements like audio or video when they have controls, can also be focused. In addition, any element with the contenteditable attribute is focusable. An element can also be made focusable by assigning a tabindex value: tabindex="0" places it in the natural tab order, while tabindex="-1" makes it focusable programmatically but not reachable via tab navigation. Positive tabindex values create an explicit tab order but are generally discouraged because they can disrupt a predictable navigation flow.

Programmatic focus can be achieved with methods like element.focus() in scripts, allowing developers to move focus in response to events or after dynamic content updates. Good focus management includes maintaining a logical focus order, ensuring visible focus indicators, and avoiding focus traps where users cannot exit a region with the keyboard. For accessibility, users relying on keyboards or assistive technologies rely on consistent focus behavior to understand and interact with the page.