How to manage focus in a Vue application for accessibility?
Jul 23, 2025 am 01:46 AM
Managing focus in Vue applications requires using ref to control focus, ensuring a reasonable tab order, processing dynamic content focus, and adding ARIA attributes. First, use ref to set the focus to specific elements, such as the input box in the modal box after the component is mounted; second, maintain the natural Tab order by semanticizing HTML tags and avoiding manual setting of tabindex; third, use life cycle hooks or watcher to adjust the focus position when dynamic content such as modal box or drop-down menu is displayed or hidden; finally, add aria-expanded, aria-label and other attributes to the component to improve the accessibility experience.
Managing focus in a Vue application is a key part of building accessible interfaces. Without proper focus handling, users who rely on keyboards or screen readers can easily get lost. Vue, being a modern framework, gives you the tools to manage focus effectively — you just need to use them the right way.
Use ref s to Control Focus Programmatically
In Vue, ref s are the go-to way to access DOM elements directly. This is especially useful when you need to set focus to a specific element after a component mounts or after an action like opening a modal.
For example:
mounted() {
this.$refs.searchInput.focus()
}This can help in scenarios like:
- Automatically focusing the first input in a modal
- Returning focus to a button after closing a dropdown
- Focusing a newly added form field
Just be careful not to overuse ref s — they're best used sparingly and only when necessary for focus or DOM manipulation.
Ensure Logical Tab Order with HTML Structure
The natural tab order of your page should follow the visual layout. This means structuring your HTML in a way that users can navigate logically from top to bottom, left to right.
Some tips:
- Avoid using
tabindex="1"or higher — it's rarely needed and can break the natural tab flow - Use semantic HTML tags like
<button>,<a>, and<input>which are focused by default - If you're using a
<div>as a button (which you shouldn't), at least addtabindex="0"so it becomes keyboard-focusable
Vue components that render interactive elements should always ensure they're focused and follow the expected behavior.
Handle Focus in Dynamic Content
When your app updates the DOM dynamically — like showing or hiding elements — you need to make sure focus doesn't get "stuck" or disappear.
Common scenarios:
- After a modal opens, move focus inside it
- When a dropdown closes, return focus to the trigger button
- On error messages, focus the relevant input field
You can use watchers or lifecycle hooks to detect when content changes and adjust focus accordingly. For example:
watch: {
showModal(newVal) {
if (newVal) {
this.$nextTick(() => {
this.$refs.modal.focus()
})
}
}
} Also, remember to use v-if instead of v-show for modals and dialogs — it removes the element from the DOM, which helps avoid focus getting trapped in hidden elements.
Don't Forget ARIA Roles and Labels
Even with good focus handling, some components still need ARIA attributes to be fully accessible. For example:
- Use
aria-expandedon dropdown buttons - Set
aria-labeloraria-labelledbyfor elements that aren't clearly labeled - Use
role="dialog"for modals
Vue doesn't enforce ARIA usage, but it's up to you to include them where needed. You can bind them just like any other attribute:
<button :aria-expanded="isMenuOpen">
ARIA is a powerful tool, but it's best used alongside proper focus handling — not as a replacement for it.
Basically that's it. Focus management in Vue isn't complicated, but it does require attention to detail. With a few thoughtful additions using ref s, semantic HTML, and ARIA, your app can be both functional and accessible.
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