Caret Browsing

Name: Caret Browsing
Rating: 4.231538461538461 (1300 reviews)
Author: chrome-a11y-extensions

Browse the text of web pages using arrow keys.

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Caret Browsing lets you browse and interact with the text of web pages using keyboard navigation. By pressing F7, you can toggle Caret Browsing on or off. Use arrow keys to move the cursor throughout the document, Shift plus arrows to select text, and Option plus arrows to move by word (on supported platforms). When the cursor reaches links or controls, these elements are automatically focused, allowing you to press Enter to activate them. For controls capturing arrow keys, use Esc followed by left or right arrow to return to Caret Browsing mode. Alternatively, Tab can cycle through focusable controls. This extension enhances keyboard accessibility, making web navigation seamless without a mouse. Note that Caret Browsing is scheduled for deprecation.

Extension

By:: chrome-a11y-extensions
Users:: 40,000
Rating:: 4.23

(1,300)
Version:: 1.1.0 Last updated: 2024-04-16
Creation date:: 2019-10-09
Risk:: Very low risk impact Low risk likelihood
Size:: 175.00KB
Email:: ch*****@google.com
URLs:: Privacy policy
Full description:: See detailed description
Source:: Chrome Web Store
Updated:: a day ago

Ranking

# 3,308 ▲ 58

Other rankings

#3965 in Accessibility ▼ 10

#1 in browsing keyword 28

#11 in press keyword 19

#18 in browser keyword 89 ▼ 5

#25 in chrome browser keyword 73 ▼ 3

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User reviews

Caret Browsing Chrome extension allows users to select text with a cursor and keyboard shortcuts, enhancing navigation similar to word processing. Many users find it useful for keyboard-based text selection. However, several reviews mention significant cons including overriding function keys that affect system controls like volume and brightness, causing keyboard shortcut conflicts, and confusing or unnecessary features since Chrome already supports caret browsing natively with F7. Overall, it has mixed user feedback centered on its usefulness versus the intrusive impact on keyboard functionality.

Pros

Allows text selection on webpages using a cursor, similar to word processors
Enables use of keyboard shortcuts for text selection and navigation
Useful for users who prefer keyboard navigation and text selection
Provides an accessible way to select text on web pages without using the mouse

Cons

Overwrites default function key behavior, disabling volume and brightness controls
Causes unexpected keyboard shortcut conflicts, e.g. modifying Command-Shift on Mac OS
Not clearly understood or needed by some users since Chrome already supports caret browsing with F7
Sometimes causes issues with arrow keys and Ctrl key behavior on some websites
Primarily useful only on desktops with F7 keys; not beneficial on devices without such keys

Recent reviews

nice

ca*****, 2025-06-23

то что нужно спасибо герой.

Сэ*****, 2024-10-27

I don't get it. Chrome already does all of the things that are described here (i.e. F7 to turn on caret browsing). Installing this extension does not appear to have any effect. What gives?

Jo*****, 2021-10-30

View all user reviews ›

Extension safety

Risk impact

Risk impact measures the level of extra permissions an extension has access to. A low risk impact extension cannot do much harms, whereas a high risk impact extension can do a lot of damage like stealing your password, bypassing your security settings, and accessing your personal data. High risk impact extensions are not necessarily malicious. However, if they do turn malicious, they can be very harmful.

Caret Browsing does not require any sensitive permissions.

Risk impact analysis details

Low This permission has no access or impact on the user's system or data, thus carrying no risk.

Risk likelihood

Risk likelihood measures the probability that a Chrome extension may turn malicious. This is determined by the publisher and the Chrome extension reputation on Chrome Web Store, the amount of time the Chrome extension has been around, and other signals about the Chrome extension. Our algorithms are not perfect, and are subject to change as we discover new ways to detect malicious extensions. We recommend that you always exercise caution when installing a Chrome extension.

Caret Browsing has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

Risk likelihood analysis details

High This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.
Low **** ********* *** ******* **** **** * ****** **** ***** ******** *** **** ****** ** ** ****** *** *****
Low **** ********* *** ***** **** **** * ****** **** ***** ********** *** **** ****** ** ** ****** *** *****
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