HyperText Markup Language/Standard Attributes List/accesskey

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The accesskey attribute defines a keyboard shortcut for a hyperlink or form element. The combination of keys need to activate the shortcut varies from browser to browser. In Microsoft Internet Explorer the user must press Alt+accesskey. If the shortcut is for a link the user must then press Enter to follow the link. The choice of Alt+accesskey means that access keys can clash with shortcuts built-in to the browser.

It is quite common to use numbers for the access keys since these don't clash with any major browser's built-in shortcuts, e. g.

• 1 = Home Page
• 0 = List of access keys on this website.

  <div id="navigation">
    <h2>Navigation</h2>
    <ul>
      <li><a accesskey="1" href="/">Home page</a></li>
      <li><a accesskey="2" href="/about">About</a></li>
      <li><a accesskey="0" href="/accesskeys">Access keys</a></li>
    </ul>
  </div>

There is no standard way to let users know the access keys that are available on the page. Some suggestions can be found in Accesskeys: Unlocking Hidden Navigation.