# Suggestion: Add forward/backward tab navigation

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/suggestion-add-forward-backward-tab-navigation/98113>\
**Category:** Feature Requests\
**Tags:** editor\
**Created:** [13 July 2025 13:37 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/suggestion-add-forward-backward-tab-navigation/98113 "2025-07-13T13:37:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 3

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**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [13 July 2025 14:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/suggestion-add-forward-backward-tab-navigation/98113/3 "2025-07-13T14:14:05Z")

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> [@TotallyInformation](#):
>
> So this would be a massive time saver and productivity boost.

100%

In my prior role I used several different PLC programming tools. One of them had EXCELLENT fwd/back navigation, the others did not. In the departments using the tools without this feature I really struggled to maintain my flow of thought (sic) and often had to stop and go back to the start of the debugging process to find out where I was or how I got there

I cannot stress strongly enough how massively this helps with cognitive load. Once you have it, you dont want to go back. I used to joke and ask my collegues if they would like me to remove the BACK/FWD buttons off their browsers 😉

In a production environment this is very often the difference between a minor stoppage and a major breakdown.

I have raised this before (but I cannot for the life of me remember where!)

  

In order for Feature Request to be even considered, we will need a clear set of requirements / expectations laid out (and even then, it is not a dead cert, but its certainly not gonna happen without it) For example:

- How is the feature surfaced? Buttons in the toolbar? Shortcuts?
  - On Shortcuts, I would strongly suggest they should have default key bindings set (should be simple and common e.g. Alt+Left/Right)

- What actions push a location onto the navigation stack (e.g. double clicking a node, switching tab, selecting a node, changing sidebar panel, scrolling, page up/down etc.)
- Whether the navigation stack should include taking you back into node edit panels or not.
- etc.

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_[View the full topic](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/suggestion-add-forward-backward-tab-navigation/98113)._