Tabs
Tabs are a UI component used to organize content into separate, easily navigable sections. They allow users to switch between views or categories without leaving the current screen, making them a powerful tool for simplifying navigation.
Why Use Tabs in App Design?
Tabs improve usability by:
Enhancing Organization
Grouping related content into distinct sections.
Saving Space
Displaying only the relevant information for the selected tab.
Streamlining Navigation
Allowing users to switch between categories quickly.
Types of Tabs in App Design
Horizontal Tabs
Arranged side by side at the top of the screen.
Example: “Overview,” “Stats,” and “Reports” in a dashboard.
Vertical Tabs
Listed vertically, often used when there are many categories.
Example: A settings page with sections like “Account,” “Privacy,” and “Notifications.”
Icon Tabs
Use icons instead of text to represent categories.
Example: Tabs with icons for “Home,” “Search,” and “Profile” in a navigation bar.
Scrollable Tabs
Allow horizontal scrolling when there are too many tabs to fit on the screen.
Example: Product categories in an e-commerce app.
Best Practices for Designing Tabs
Use Clear Labels
Ensure tab labels are concise and descriptive.
Good: “Photos,” “Videos,” “Albums.”
Bad: “Click Here for Photos,” “Go to Videos Section.”
Highlight the Active Tab
Clearly indicate the currently selected tab using visual cues like bold text, a different color, or an underline.
Keep Tab Count Manageable
Limit the number of tabs to avoid clutter. Use scrollable tabs for larger sets of categories.
Ensure Responsiveness
Design tabs to adapt to different screen sizes, especially for mobile devices.
Maintain Accessibility
Use ARIA roles like tablist, tab, and tabpanel to ensure tabs are screen reader-friendly.
Make tabs keyboard-navigable with clear focus states.
Tabs are a versatile and intuitive UI component that improves content organization and navigation in app design. By following best practices and leveraging Figma Kits and UI Kits, you can create responsive, accessible tabs that enhance your app’s usability.