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Manage a Logical Focus Order

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Manage a Logical Focus Order

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Components must receive keyboard focus in an order that preserves meaning and operability. (WCAG 2.1 SC 2.4.3)

Why This Matters

Keyboard users tab through the page in a confusing order, breaking task flow.

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Why this matters

Tab order follows the DOM. When it jumps around the screen unpredictably—often from positive tabindex values or DOM/visual mismatch—users lose their place.

Good: natural DOM order, tabindex="0"/-1" only, focus moved into newly opened dialogs. Bad: tabindex="5" style hardcoded ordering.