In a web browser, the address bar (also location bar or URL bar) is the element that shows the current URL. The user can type a URL into it to navigate to a chosen website. In most modern browsers, non-URLs are automatically sent to a search engine. In a file browser, it serves the same purpose of navigation, but through the file-system hierarchy.
Many address bars offer features like autocomplete and a list of suggestions while the address is being typed in. This auto-correct ion feature bases its suggestions on the browser's history. Some browsers have keyboard shortcuts to auto-complete an address.
Features
In addition to the URL, some address bars feature icons showing features or information about the site. For websites using a favicon (a small icon that represents the website), a small icon may be present within the address bar, a generic icon appearing if the website does not specify one. The address bar is also used to show the security status of a web page; various designs are used to distinguish between insecure HTTP and encrypted HTTPS, alongside use of an Extended Validation Certificate, which some websites use to verify their identity.
Most web browsers allow for the use of a search engine if the term typed in is not clearly a URL. This will usually also auto-complete, if the search engine offers this feature, to popular answers, some engines even suggesting answers to basic maths queries. Some browsers, such as Firefox,Opera and Google Chrome, allow for website-specific searches to be set by the user. For example, by associating the shortcut "!w" with Wikipedia, "!w cake" can be entered into the address bar to navigate directly to the Wikipedia article for cake. This feature is standardised for users of the search engine DuckDuckGo as "bangs".
Web browsers often include a feature called Smart Bookmarks. In this feature, the user sets a command that allows for a function (such as searching, editing, or posting) of a website to be expedited. Then, a keyword or term associated with the command is typed into the address bar followed by entering the term afterwards or selecting the command from a list.
In some browsers, such as Opera and Safari, the address bar can double as a progress bar that indicates how much of the contents of the page has been loaded.
Comparisons
The following sections compare address bar widgets for a few well-known web browsers.
Firefox
Internet Explorer
Microsoft Edge
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (January 2023) |
Google Chrome
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (October 2023) |
See also
- Combo box
References
- Apple, Jennifer. "Favicon - How To Create A Favicon.ico". Futura Studios. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- "Search the web from Address Bar". Firefox Help. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- "Use the address bar (omnibox)". Chrome Help. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
- Hoffman, Rae (10 February 2008). "Creating Firefox Search Bookmarks". Sugarrae. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
In a web browser the address bar also location bar or URL bar is the element that shows the current URL The user can type a URL into it to navigate to a chosen website In most modern browsers non URLs are automatically sent to a search engine In a file browser it serves the same purpose of navigation but through the file system hierarchy An address bar Many address bars offer features like autocomplete and a list of suggestions while the address is being typed in This auto correct ion feature bases its suggestions on the browser s history Some browsers have keyboard shortcuts to auto complete an address FeaturesIn addition to the URL some address bars feature icons showing features or information about the site For websites using a favicon a small icon that represents the website a small icon may be present within the address bar a generic icon appearing if the website does not specify one The address bar is also used to show the security status of a web page various designs are used to distinguish between insecure HTTP and encrypted HTTPS alongside use of an Extended Validation Certificate which some websites use to verify their identity An example of the Firefox browser treating non URL text as a search term Most web browsers allow for the use of a search engine if the term typed in is not clearly a URL This will usually also auto complete if the search engine offers this feature to popular answers some engines even suggesting answers to basic maths queries Some browsers such as Firefox Opera and Google Chrome allow for website specific searches to be set by the user For example by associating the shortcut w with Wikipedia w cake can be entered into the address bar to navigate directly to the Wikipedia article for cake This feature is standardised for users of the search engine DuckDuckGo as bangs Web browsers often include a feature called Smart Bookmarks In this feature the user sets a command that allows for a function such as searching editing or posting of a website to be expedited Then a keyword or term associated with the command is typed into the address bar followed by entering the term afterwards or selecting the command from a list In some browsers such as Opera and Safari the address bar can double as a progress bar that indicates how much of the contents of the page has been loaded ComparisonsThe following sections compare address bar widgets for a few well known web browsers Firefox Firefox s address bar when visiting the English WikipediaInternet Explorer Microsoft Edge This section is empty You can help by adding to it January 2023 Google Chrome This section is empty You can help by adding to it October 2023 See alsoLook up address bar in Wiktionary the free dictionary Combo boxReferencesApple Jennifer Favicon How To Create A Favicon ico Futura Studios Retrieved 25 February 2011 Search the web from Address Bar Firefox Help Retrieved 5 January 2014 Use the address bar omnibox Chrome Help Retrieved 13 May 2013 Hoffman Rae 10 February 2008 Creating Firefox Search Bookmarks Sugarrae Retrieved 5 January 2014
