Setting a mnemonic on a tab allows the tab to be selected with a keystroke. For example, if the mnemonic for a tab were the key L, then typing ALT-L (on Windows) would select the tab.

    // Create a tabbed pane

    JTabbedPane pane = new JTabbedPane();

    // Add a tab

    pane.addTab("Tab Label", component);

    // Get index of the new tab

    int index = pane.getTabCount()-1;

    // Set the mnemonic; on some look and feels, the L in the label will be underlined

    int keycode = KeyEvent.VK_L;

    pane.setMnemonicAt(index, keycode);