Changing the Tab Order for Controls

The tab order determines the order in which the insertion point will move through the controls when the user presses the Tab key. By default, the tab order for controls is the order in which you add the controls to the form.

To change the order of tab controls

  1. On the Editing Toolbar at the top of the Layout Designer window, click the Tab Order button to turn on Tab Order view. This button works as a toggle. The tab order for each control displays superimposed on each control in the Form Layout Area.
  2. Ctrl + click the tab order box for the control to be first in the tab order. Initially, the number 1 displays in the superimposed box on the control.
  3. Click each control in sequence to apply the next sequential number.
    Tip: Instead of performing steps 2 and 3, you can also click the tab order box in the Form Control Area for a control. Clicking repeatedly cycles through the numbers and adjusts the numbers of all the other controls on the form.
  4. Click the Tab Order button to turn off Tab Order view.
Parent topic: Controls