Projects/Usability/HIG/SOU Workspace/Status Bar: Difference between revisions

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(New page: A status bar is an area at the bottom of a window that can be used to display brief information about the status of the application. === Guidelines === == Selecting the right information...)
 
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* General information about the document or application. For example, current connection status in a network application, or the size of the current document in a text editor.
* General information about the document or application. For example, current connection status in a network application, or the size of the current document in a text editor.
* Progress of a background operation. For example, "Sending to printer", "Printing page 10 of 20", "Printing Complete".
* Progress of a background operation. For example, "Sending to printer", "Printing page 10 of 20", "Printing Complete".
* Information about the task the user is currently performing. For example, while using the selection tool in a drawing application, "Hold Shift to extend the selection"
* Information about using the current tool. For example, while using the selection tool in a drawing application, "Hold Shift to extend the selection"
* A description of the control or area of the window under the mouse pointer. For example, "Drop files here to upload them"  
* A description of the control or area of the window under the mouse pointer. For example, "Drop files here to upload them"  


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* Information about routine checks (unless something - non-critical - has happened)
* Information about routine checks (unless something - non-critical - has happened)


* An error that occured while fetching a file from the internet that is needed for the task at hand
* An error that is critical to the task
* An error that occured while trying to save a file


== Status bar layout ==
== Status bar layout ==


* Disply status messages on the left end of the status bar
* Display status messages on the left end of the status bar
* Place permanent status indicators (icons or text) to the right of status messages, with enough space to display the longest message your application may give
* Place progress bars to the right. Don't use a placeholder when there is no background operation happening.


== Providing contextual help ==


Use tooltips to describe status indicators that are not self explanatory or to give additional information about a status.


== Providing contextual help ==
== Interacting with the status bar ==
 
* Use interactive elements in the status bar sparingly - if at all. Don't use the status bar as an additional toolbar or as a supplement to the toolbar.
* You may allow to change a status indicated on the status bar directly by clicking on the status bar indicator.
** Never use clicking the status bar indicator as the only means to change a status. Also provide a toolbar button or menu item.

Revision as of 16:43, 12 September 2008

A status bar is an area at the bottom of a window that can be used to display brief information about the status of the application.

Guidelines

Selecting the right information

Use statusbars for information that is

  • Relevant to the current user in the current situation
  • Not critical (i.e. information that does not need immediate response)

Examples:

  • General information about the document or application. For example, current connection status in a network application, or the size of the current document in a text editor.
  • Progress of a background operation. For example, "Sending to printer", "Printing page 10 of 20", "Printing Complete".
  • Information about using the current tool. For example, while using the selection tool in a drawing application, "Hold Shift to extend the selection"
  • A description of the control or area of the window under the mouse pointer. For example, "Drop files here to upload them"

Do not use status bars for

  • Information that most users won't need while using the application. Put that information in a log file or display it in a dialog on demand.
  • Critical information to which users need to respond in order to complete their task or avoid loosing any work. Display critical information in a dialog instead. Users may miss information displayed in a status bar and some novice users might not even notice the status bar at all.

Examples:

  • Information about routine checks (unless something - non-critical - has happened)
  • An error that is critical to the task

Status bar layout

  • Display status messages on the left end of the status bar
  • Place permanent status indicators (icons or text) to the right of status messages, with enough space to display the longest message your application may give
  • Place progress bars to the right. Don't use a placeholder when there is no background operation happening.

Providing contextual help

Use tooltips to describe status indicators that are not self explanatory or to give additional information about a status.

Interacting with the status bar

  • Use interactive elements in the status bar sparingly - if at all. Don't use the status bar as an additional toolbar or as a supplement to the toolbar.
  • You may allow to change a status indicated on the status bar directly by clicking on the status bar indicator.
    • Never use clicking the status bar indicator as the only means to change a status. Also provide a toolbar button or menu item.