That is commonly handled with CSS/javascript and hidden elements, but can also be done with PHP if you don't mind reloading the page when clicking a tab. You can use a submit button in each tab, styled as a text link with some CSS. There are probably easier/more efficient ways to do it, but I've done similar things this way in the past. Play around with it, it sounds like it would work for what you are trying to do. It has the advantage of not breaking when the user has Javascript disabled, and on mobile devices that don't have Javascript capabilities at all.
<style>
.submit_link {
color: #0000FF;
background-color: transparent;
text-decoration: underline;
border: none;
}
</style>
<table>
<form action="<?php echo( $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] ); ?>" method="POST">
<tr>
<td><input class="submit_link" type="submit" name="tab" value="first_tab"></td>
<td><input class="submit_link" type="submit" name="tab" value="second_tab"></td>
<td><input class="submit_link" type="submit" name="tab" value="third_tab"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">
<?php
if( !isset($_POST['tab']) || $_POST['first_tab'] == "first_option" ) {
// Code to execute/file to include by default, or if first tab was clicked . . .
}
if( $_POST['tab'] == "senond_option" ) {
// Code to execute/file to include if second tab was clicked . . .
}
if( $_POST['tab'] == "third_option" ) {
// Code to execute/file to include if third tab was clicked . . .
}
?>
</td>
</tr>
</form>
</table>
