Using the HTML inert property to manage user focus

Interop 2022, a cross-browser initiative, introduced the HTML inert attribute to address web interoperability challenges, particularly in improving the <dialog> specification. This boolean attribute prevents browsers from recognizing events on elements it is applied to, thus enhancing user focus handling by guarding rather than trapping focus within interactive components like modals. Prior to this, developers relied on focus trapping, a method fraught with accessibility challenges, especially on mobile devices with assistive technologies like TalkBack and VoiceOver. The inert attribute simplifies the implementation of interactive elements by making inactive areas inaccessible, improving web accessibility and reducing code complexity. It is compatible with most modern browsers, except Firefox, though a polyfill is available for broader support. Practical applications include custom confirm boxes, authentication forms, and slide-out navigation menus, with best practices suggesting visual indicators for inert areas to prevent user confusion.