Should you add arrow key navigation to an OTP input?
Yes. Arrow Left and Arrow Right let the user navigate between inputs without typing. This improves UX for correction. On keyup, if ArrowLeft and index > 0, focus previous. If ArrowRight and not last, focus next.
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More FAQs in OTP Input Auto-Focus Implementation in JavaScript
On the input event, if a value was entered and it is not the last input, focus the next input: if (value && index < inputs.length - 1) inputs[index + 1].focus(). This moves the cursor forward automatically.
On keydown, if the key is Backspace and the current input is empty (!e.target.value) and it is not the first input, focus the previous input: if (e.key === 'Backspace' && !e.target.value && index > 0) inputs[index - 1].focus().
Use CSS :focus and :focus-visible pseudo-classes. Change the border color and add a box-shadow: .otp-input:focus { border-color: #007bff; box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(0,123,255,0.2); }. This helps the user see which input is active.
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