Manage tabs in different browsers

The tab interface supports more and more programs: browsers, instant messengers, text editors. In general, the behavior of the tabs is implemented in the same type, but there are also differences. This creates difficulties for users, since the same operations are performed in different applications in different ways.

The author did not find a document describing standards for implementing a tabbed interface. Therefore, it was decided to compare the existing implementations and highlight the tabs management methods that have become the de facto standard, as well as to designate ways on which agreement has not yet been reached.

Not being able to compare all existing programs, the author limited himself to an analysis of the implementation of 1) browsers 2) for Windows 3) of the following operations:
- tab creation;
- close tabs;
- cancel tab closing;
- navigation through tabs;
- opening of the address / link in the tab.

comparison table

Legend:
IE7 - Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.13
Fx3 - Mozilla Firefox 3.05
Op9 - Opera 9.63
Saf3 - Safari 3.2
Cr - Google Chrome 1.0.154.36
+ - implemented
- - not implemented
± - configuration or Tab Mix Plus for Fx3 is required
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	IE7	Fx3	Op9	Saf3	Cr
Creating a tab
- by clicking on the tab preparation	+	±	+	-	+
- double click on the panel	+	+	+	+	-
- middle click on the panel	-	±	+	-	-
- a combination of Ctrl + T	+	+	+	+	+
Close tab
- by clicking on the cross in the tab	+	+	+	+	+
- middle click on the tab	+	+	+	-	+
- a combination of Ctrl + W	+	+	+	+	+
- a combination of Ctrl + F4	+	+	+	+	+
Cancel tab closing
- a combination of Ctrl + Shift + T	-	+	+	-	+
When closing the tab is highlighted
- tab to the right of the closed	-	+	±	+	+
- last active tab	+	±	+	-	-
Navigation in order of location
- Ctrl (+ Shift) + Tab combinations	+	+	±	+	+
- Ctrl + PageUp / PageDown combinations	-	+	±	-	+
- Ctrl (+ Shift) + F6 combinations	-	-	+	-	-
- Ctrl + Shift + [/]	-	-	±	+	-
Navigation in order of use
- Ctrl (+ Shift) + Tab combinations	±	±	+	-	-
- scrolling with the right button pressed	-	-	+	-	-
Tab Navigation
- combinations of Ctrl + 1-8, Ctrl + 9	+	+	-	-	+
Opening an address in a new tab
- a combination of Alt + Enter	+	+	-	-	+
- a combination of Shift + Enter	-	-	+	-	-
Opening a link in the background tab
- middle click	+	+	+	+	+
- a combination of Ctrl + click	+	+	-	+	+
- a combination of Ctrl + Shift + click	-	-	+	±	-
Opening link in new tab
- a combination of Ctrl + Shift + click	+	+	-	+	+
- a combination of Shift + click	-	-	+	-	-

Comparative analysis

Creating and closing tabs is implemented as a whole equally. Chrome is left to learn how to create a tab with a double click, and Safari - to close on the average.

Undoing a tab is a very useful feature. Explorer and Safari should include support for the combination Ctrl + Shift + T. Opera also knows how to restore closed tabs using the more versatile Ctrl + Z combination.

The author is saddened that the combination Ctrl (+ Shift) + Tab becomes the de facto standard for navigating tabs in the order of location . This goes against the behavior of a similar combination of Alt (+ Shift) + Tab , which switches applications in order of use . In the author’s view, it’s more convenient to use Ctrl + PageUp / PageDown to navigate in order of arrangement, and Ctrl + Tab to leave to go to the previous active tab.

The above also applies to the selection of the active tab after the previous one is closed. In Windows, when the program is closed, the focus gets the last active application. It would seem that tabs should behave similarly. This behavior is implemented in Explorer and Opera. The remaining browsers select the tab to the right of the closed one. This method is useful when opening child tabs and viewing them sequentially. Both approaches have their supporters, there is no single standard yet.

In three browsers, the Ctrl + 1-8 combination chooses the corresponding tab on the panel, and Ctrl + 9 selects the rightmost tab. Opera and Safari use these combinations to open the corresponding bookmarks.

A similar situation is observed in relation to Alt + Enter . Safari opens the dialed address in the background tab (why?). In Opera, instead of Alt, you need to hold Shift.

Finally, almost all browsers unanimously open links in the background tab, if you hold down the Ctrl key , or in the new one, if you hold down the Ctrl + Shift key . The author believes that Opera should "pay tribute to fashion" and implement Ctrl + click on the link. It is also obvious that the middle click has become the de facto standard for opening links in the background tab.

The author will be grateful to readers for additions and comments.