Alternatively called Control+Tab and C-tab, Ctrl+Tab is a keyboard shortcut often used to switch between open tabs in a browser.

How to use the Ctrl+Tab

To use this keyboard shortcut, press and hold either Ctrl key, and while continuing to hold, press the Tab key.

  • How to use the Ctrl+Tab.
  • Ctrl+Tab in an Internet browser.
  • Ctrl+Tab in Excel and other spreadsheet programs.
  • Ctrl+Tab in Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Related keyboard shortcuts and keys.
  • Related information.
  • Computer keyboard shortcuts.

Ctrl+Tab in an Internet browser

In all major Internet browsers (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, IE, Opera), pressing Ctrl+Tab switches between open tabs in your browser. For example, if you had five open tabs in your browser you could press Ctrl+Tab to switch between each of those tabs going left to right without using your mouse.

  • Firefox shortcuts
  • Google Chrome shortcuts
  • Internet Explorer shortcuts

Ctrl+Tab in Excel and other spreadsheet programs

In Microsoft Excel, pressing Ctrl+Tab switches between the open workbooks if you have more than one workbook open at once.

Using the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Tab, switches between the tabs in the opposite direction (right to left).

  • Full list of Excel shortcuts.

Ctrl+Tab in Microsoft PowerPoint

In Microsoft PowerPoint, Ctrl+Tab switches between the open presentations if you have more than one presentation open at once.

If you only have one workbook open this keyboard shortcut will do nothing.

  • Full list of PowerPoint shortcuts.

Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.

If you only have one presentation open this keyboard shortcut will do nothing.

  • Alt+Tab
  • Ctrl
  • Tab

Ctrl, Keyboard shortcut, Keyboard terms, Tab

  • Computer keyboard shortcuts.
  • Top 10 keyboard shortcuts everyone should know.
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