Access toolbar functions using the keyboard

Firefox Firefox Last updated: 50% of users voted this helpful

In Firefox, you can use the keyboard to access your add-on buttons on the toolbar, as well as perform other toolbar functions that were not previously available via your keyboard.

To access toolbar buttons

  1. Press the Control + Lcommand + L keys to move to the address bar.
  2. Use the Tab and Shift + Tab keys to move between various major groups of buttons in the toolbars, including the tab bar.
  3. Once you reach the desired group, you can use the right and left arrow keys to move through the buttons in that group. This allows you to quickly and efficiently find the button that you want.
  4. Press the Space or Enter key to activate the desired toolbar button once you reach it.
  5. Press the F6 key to quickly return to the web page from the toolbar.
Windows tip: Alternatively, you can press the menu key or Shift + F10 to access the context menu for the button, which is equivalent to clicking the right button on your mouse.

Disabling this feature

If you have become accustomed to using Tab to move between the URL bar and Search bar, skipping over buttons in between, you can restore the earlier behavior through the Configuration Editor.

Warning: Changing advanced preferences can affect Firefox's stability and security. This is recommended for advanced users only.

To restore the earlier Tab key behavior

  1. Type about:config in the address bar and press EnterReturn.
    A warning page may appear. Click Accept the Risk and Continue to go to the about:config page.
  2. Search for browser.toolbars.keyboard_navigation.
  3. Click the Toggle Fx71aboutconfig-ToggleButton button next to the preference to switch its value to false.
  4. Close the about:config tab.

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