A key, often labeled with both a left-pointing and a right-pointing arrow, that traditionally (as in word processing) is used to insert tab characters into a document. In other applications, such as menu-driven programs, the Tab key is often used to move the on-screen highlight from place to place. Many database and spreadsheet programs allow the user to press the Tab key to move around within a record or between cells. The word tab is short for “tabulator,” which was the name given to this key on typewriters, where it was used in creating tables. See also tab character.
The key on an electric typewriter that causes a tabulation.