Tab (interface)

In interface design, a tab is a <a href="/facts/Graphical_user_interface_object/SuVeScB2">graphical user interface object</a> that allows multiple <a href="/facts/Documents/H4Hdxu91">documents</a> or <a href="/facts/Panel_(computer_software)/oTNklJge">panels</a> to be contained within a single <a href="/facts/Window_(computing)/g39X0vV3">window</a>, using tabs as a navigational widget for switching between sets of documents. It is an interface style most commonly associated with <a href="/facts/Web_browser/2pfyymLs">web browsers</a>, <a href="/facts/Web_application/BLkF3BIN">web applications</a>, <a href="/facts/Text_editor/jPCgtbvN">text editors</a>, and preference panels, with <a href="/facts/Window_manager/WFRnDBz7">window managers</a> and <a href="/facts/Tiling_window_manager/mJgYbl73">tiling window managers</a>.
Tabs are modeled after traditional card tabs inserted in paper files or card indexes (in keeping with the <a href="/facts/Desktop_metaphor/kWQQNlxu">desktop metaphor</a>). They are usually graphically displayed on webpages or apps as they look on paper.
Tabs may appear in a horizontal bar or as a vertical list. Horizontal tabs may have multiple rows. In some cases, tabs may be reordered or organized into multiple rows through <a href="/facts/Drag_and_drop/7Xd8vXfn">drag and drop</a> interactions. Implementations may support opening an existing tab in a separate window or <a href="/facts/Selection_(user_interface)/1MXjkD50">range-selecting</a> multiple tabs for moving, closing, or separating them.

Tab (interface) open-in-new

Tab (interface)