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-completion feature bases its suggestions on the browser's history. Some browsers have keyboard shortcuts to auto-complete an address.
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.[1] 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.[2][3] 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,[4]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.
^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.
March 29, 2023
address, browser, address, also, location, element, that, shows, current, user, type, into, navigate, chosen, website, most, modern, browsers, urls, automatically, sent, search, engine, file, browser, serves, same, purpose, navigation, through, file, system, h. 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 completion feature bases its suggestions on the browser s history Some browsers have keyboard shortcuts to auto complete an address Contents 1 Features 2 Comparisons 2 1 Firefox 2 2 Opera 2 3 Internet Explorer 2 4 Microsoft Edge 3 See also 4 ReferencesFeatures EditIn 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 1 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 2 3 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 4 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 EditThe following sections compare address bar widgets for a few well known web browsers Firefox Edit Firefox s address bar when visiting example com Firefox s address bar when visiting the English Wikipedia Firefox s address bar when visiting the Wikimedia Foundation s credit card payment page which uses an Extended Validation Certificate Opera Edit Opera s address bar when visiting the English Wikipedia Opera s address bar when visiting the English Wikipedia secure Internet Explorer Edit Internet Explorer 11 s address bar when visiting the English Wikipedia Internet Explorer 11 s address bar when visiting a secure site that does not have an Extended Validation Certificate Internet Explorer 11 s address bar when visiting a secure site PayPal that has an Extended Validation Certificate Microsoft Edge Edit This section is empty You can help by adding to it January 2023 See also EditCombo boxReferences Edit 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Address bar amp oldid 1145096648, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
