Disabling tab focus on form elements

Detailed approach and alternatives

The tabindex="-1" approach is a quick way to ensure elements do not receive focus on tab navigation. However, other strategies exist that provide more granular control and better accessibility:

Preventative Tab Navigation using Javascript

You can detect and prevent default tab behaviour on certain keydown events. It's like putting the tab key on a leash — more control, less accidents:

document.addEventListener('keydown', function(event) {
  if(event.key === 'Tab') {
    // If the dog bites, make him sit!
    if(event.target.getAttribute('tabindex') === '-1') {
      event.preventDefault();
      // You decide the next focusable element
    }
  }
});
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Navigable Element Management with jQuery

A more flexible approach is using jQuery for dynamic control of tabindex, switching an element's tabindex status based on conditions:

$('.form-class').find('input, button, select').each(function() {
  var $element = $(this);
  if(/* condition */) {
    $element.attr('tabindex', '-1'); // No tab for you!
  } else {
    $element.removeAttr('tabindex'); // Tab feast!
  }
});
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Harnessing Custom Attributes and Classes

Custom attributes such as data-tab-skip="true" and classes can drastically simplify querying elements for focus control:

$('.form-class').find('[data-tab-skip="true"]').addClass('skip-me'); // The 'skip-me' class just got popular!
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Consideration of Navigation Flow

Always consider the end of the tab navigation flow. Deserting the user in a navigation limbo is not the best practice. It's like leaving someone in the middle of a maze!

Expert tactics for complex forms

Table Structures and Focus Management

For table-style form layout, maintain a rhythmic tab flow even across non-focusable divs and rows. Your form is a concert, and you're the conductor:

$('table input').on('keydown', function(e) {
  if (e.key === 'Tab') {
    var $next = $(this).closest('td').next().find('input');
    if($next.length === 0) {
      $next = $(this).closest('tr').next().find('input:first'); // Ninja move to the next row
    }
    if($next.length) {
      $next.focus();
      e.preventDefault(); // Tab, Swan Lake is now playing. Dance!
    }
  }
});
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Dynamic Focus Control with Element List

Create a list of focusable elements in an array for dynamic control of Tab key behaviour based on index:

var focusableFellas = $('.form-class').find('input, button, select').filter(':visible').toArray();
var currentGuy = focusableFellas.indexOf(document.activeElement);
// Logic to find and focus the next guy inline
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Keeping Navigation Smooth and Intuitive

While implementing custom focus controls, prioritising intuitive navigation is crucial. Nobody likes unexpected bumps in the road!

Attending to Newly Added Elements

For dynamically added elements, extend the focus control mechanism with mutation observers or apply it during element creation.