Setting Tab Order in Flash MX

Tab Index with Internal Clip Tab Index Set

In this example, six numbered buttons are arrayed on the screen. Buttons 3 and 5 are within a separate internal Flash Movie Clip. The tabIndex properties for the buttons are set. Using the [TAB] key will result in the buttons being highlighted in the following order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Tab Index with Internal Clip Tab Index Not Set

In this example, six numbered buttons are arrayed on the screen. Buttons 3 and 5 are within a separate internal Flash Movie Clip. The tabIndex properties for the buttons are not set. Using the [TAB] key will result in the buttons being highlighted in the following default order: 1, 3, 2, 4, 6, 5.

Tab Index with Internal Clip Tab Index Skips

In this example, six numbered buttons are arrayed on the screen. Buttons 3 and 5 are within a separate internal Flash Movie Clip. The tabIndex properties for the buttons are set, except for buttons 3 and 4. In other words, the ActionScript reads:

_root.button1.tabIndex = 1;
_root.button2.tabIndex = 2;
_root.internalClip.button5.tabIndex = 5;
_root.button6.tabIndex = 6;

Using the [TAB] key without a screen reader (such as JAWS) will result in the buttons being highlighted in the following order: 1, 2, 5, 6. Buttons 3 and 4 are completely inaccessible utilizing only the keyboard. Using a screen reader (such as JAWS) will result in the following tab order: 1, 3, 2, 4, 6, 5.