Keystroke Navigation

TYPO3 Keystroke Navigation

TYPO3 Keystroke Navigation lets you move around the TYPO3 Backend using keyboard shortcuts. It helps you work faster and more efficiently without having to use the mouse all the time.

Keyboard navigation means that a website or backend can be operated entirely without a mouse. People with motor impairments, screen reader users and many power users rely on it. In TYPO3 too it is an important part of accessibility and ease of use.

In the frontend users move from element to element with the Tab key, activate links and buttons with Enter or Space and close dialogs with Escape. The order must be logical, and focus must remain visible at all times, for example through a clear outline.

A skip link leads directly to the main content and saves time. Menus, accordions, tabs, lightboxes and forms must be reachable by keyboard and must not create focus traps. Dynamic areas need suitable ARIA information so that assistive technologies recognise changes.

In the TYPO3 backend many tasks can be done by keyboard. The page tree, forms and lists are reachable with arrow keys and Tab, and context menus offer shortcuts. Editors with restrictions benefit, but fast users also save time.

Test your website regularly without a mouse. Go through all important processes, such as navigation, search, forms and ordering, and check whether everything is reachable and focus moves comprehensibly.

Avoid elements that only appear on mouse movement and make sure hover functions are also available via focus.

Document keyboard shortcuts if you define your own and avoid conflicts with browser and screen reader shortcuts.

Involve people with disabilities in tests, because their hints show real hurdles.

Consider the requirements from WCAG and BITV already in design and templates.

We check and improve the keyboard operability of your TYPO3 website.

This way all visitors can use your content.