The Tab key. Which one? What is needed?

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The TAB or Tab key

From the first typewriters developed for the work done by typists, on the keyboard of the same was included a key called Tab, which simplified the process they had to carry out when they indicated the presence of an indent within a text.

Through the Tab key, the action performed by a lever that it allowed the typist to scroll through the page he was typing. Over time, typewriters began to include two keys, one of which was used to insert a tab stop, while the other performed the action of removing said tabulation.

the Tab key

The procedure included a series of positions established on the typewriter mechanism, since pressing the Tab key the carriage moved to the first stop of the mechanism, also called "tab stop", which have been established based on the position of the columns in the table.

Thus was born the key known as Tab, which today we can find on all computer keyboards, and whose term is actually short for "tab".

And for this the Tab key on the computer keyboard is used in the same way as traditional typewriters, this is basically to be able to move on to the next "tab stop" when writing a text.

However, it should be noted that in the case of keyboards used in the computer world, the Tab key has other very interesting functions and even allows us to perform different actions through the combination of keys.

What is the Tab key?

If we look at the keyboard of our computer, we can see that there is a Tab key on it, which in many cases is also represented with arrows (↹). The Tab key is physically located on the far left of most computer keyboards. usually on the Caps Lock key.

the Tab key

Now, many will wonder why the Tab key is represented with a forward arrow and a back arrow, and the truth is that these symbols indicate that the Tab key allows us to go back and forth.

While most computer users use the Tab key to move forward, the truth is that Yes we reward the Tab and Shift keys at the same time we can move backwards in the tabs.

Also there are many key combinations that use the Tab key and that give us the possibility to access very useful keyboard shortcuts.

In the case of Apple-branded computer keyboards we will also find the Tab key, in this case it is almost always represented with the word "Tab" and not with arrows like most keyboards for computers running Windowsbut its function is essentially the same.

the Tab key

On the contrary, When it comes to virtual keyboards on smartphones and tablets, they mostly don't include the Tab key.

What is the Tab key used for?

The Tab key on our computer keyboard has various uses, one of the most common is, for example, when using the word processor, we click this key to enter a tab character or move the cursor to the right.

the Tab key

But the truth is that the Tab key can be used for many other functions, including the ability to move between different selectable items in a dialog box, switch between tabs in a web browser and even use keyboard shortcuts.

In this sense, the most used by users is the shortcut obtained by pressing the Tab and Alt keys at the same time, with which we can move between the open windows.

Right here we bring you some of the most frequent and useful keyboard shortcuts you can get with the Tab key.

Tab + Win: It allows us to move between open applications.

Tab + Win + Ctrl: Use the keyboard arrows to move between open applications.

the Tab key

Tab + Alt: Switch between the applications we have opened.

Tab + Shift: It allows us to move between the options but backwards.

Tab + Ctrl + Alt: Switch between applications using the arrow keys

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