tabtop

Tabtop is a term used in user interface design to describe a tabbed content layout in which multiple content panels are organized behind a row of tabs positioned at the top of the content area. The pattern prioritizes fast navigation between sections and minimizes full-page reloads, making it popular for dashboards, admin panels, and data-visualization tools.

The name derives from combining tab and top. There is no formal standard for tabtop, and implementations vary, with tabs that are horizontal or responsive and panels that can be loaded dynamically or pre-rendered.

Implementation considerations include building with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript; attention to accessibility, including keyboard navigation and appropriate ARIA roles; responsive behavior for small screens; and content loading strategies, such as preloading versus on-demand loading.

Tabtop is related to other tab-based interfaces and segmented controls. It differs from accordions by keeping content panels organized under the top tab structure, rather than expanding sections within a single column. In practice, tabtop patterns are commonly used in dashboards and admin interfaces.