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var tab;
$('.nav-sections a[href="#' + tab + '"]').tab('show');

<ul class="nav-sections">
  <li><a data-toggle="tab" href="#reports">Reports</a></li>
  <li><a data-toggle="tab" href="#areas">Areas</a></li>
</ul>

<div class="tab-content">
  <div role="tabpanel" class="tab-pane fade in active" id="reports">
    Reports
  </div>
  <div role="tabpanel" class="tab-pane fade" id="areas">
    Areas
  </div>
</div>