Setting tab order in FileMaker layouts

Beginner

Control the sequence the cursor follows when users press Tab — and remove specific fields from the tab order to improve data entry flow.

What you'll learn

  • How to set the tab order for a layout
  • How to customize the sequence and exclude objects
  • How to remove hidden fields from the tab order

Tab order defines the sequence the cursor moves through fields when a user presses Tab or Return. A well-designed tab order matches the natural data entry flow and skips non-entry objects.

1/3
1

Open the Set Tab Order dialog

In Layout mode, choose Format > Set Tab Order (or Layouts > Set Tab Order). Numbers appear on each tabbable object showing the current sequence.

TEXT
// Numbers show the current tab sequence:
// Click "Clear All" to remove all tab stops
// Click objects in your desired sequence to set the order
// Leave an object un-numbered to remove it from tab order
Layout themes in FileMaker — consistent styling across layoutsBack to Layouts

Sign in to track your progress and pick up where you left off.

Sign in to FM Dojo