Case ce-0115-table-tab-navigation · Scenario scenario-table-editing

Tab key inserts tab character instead of moving to next cell

OS: Windows 11 Device: Desktop or Laptop Any Browser: Chrome 120.0 Keyboard: US Status: draft
table tab navigation chrome

Phenomenon

When editing a table cell in a contenteditable element, pressing Tab inserts a tab character instead of moving to the next cell. This makes table navigation difficult.

Reproduction example

  1. Create a table in contenteditable
  2. Click inside a table cell
  3. Press Tab key

Observed behavior

  • Tab character is inserted into the cell
  • Cursor does not move to next cell
  • Table navigation is broken
  • Users cannot easily navigate between cells

Expected behavior

  • Tab should move to next cell
  • Shift+Tab should move to previous cell
  • Tab character should not be inserted
  • Navigation should work like spreadsheet applications

Browser Comparison

  • All browsers: Tab inserts character (default behavior)
  • Custom handling needed for table navigation

Notes and possible direction for workarounds

  • Intercept Tab key in table cells
  • Prevent default behavior
  • Find next/previous cell
  • Move cursor to next cell
  • Handle edge cases (last cell, first cell)
Before
Cell 1Cell 2
Table structure, cursor in first cell
After Tab (Bug)
Cell 1\tCell 2
Tab key inserts tab character, does not move to next cell
vs
✅ Expected
Cell 1Cell 2
Expected: Tab key moves to next cell, tab character not inserted

Browser compatibility matrix

This matrix shows which browser and OS combinations have documented cases for this scenario. The current case is highlighted. Click on a cell to view other cases.

Current case
Confirmed
Draft
No case documented

All variants (detailed table)

Complete list of all cases for this scenario with full environment details.

Case OS Device Browser Keyboard Status
ce-0115-table-tab-navigation Windows 11 Desktop or Laptop Any Chrome 120.0 US draft
ce-0126-table-cell-editing-breaks Windows 11 Desktop or Laptop Any Safari 17.0 US draft
ce-0148-table-paste-breaks-structure Windows 11 Desktop or Laptop Any Chrome 120.0 US draft
ce-0158-table-cell-selection-difficult Windows 11 Desktop or Laptop Any Chrome 120.0 US draft
ce-0171-table-row-deletion-difficult Windows 11 Desktop or Laptop Any Chrome 120.0 US draft

Playground for this case

Use the reported environment as a reference and record what happens in your environment while interacting with the editable area.

Reported environment
OS: Windows 11
Device: Desktop or Laptop Any
Browser: Chrome 120.0
Keyboard: US
Your environment
Sample HTML:
Event log
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0 events
Interact with the editable area to see events here.

Comments & Discussion

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