Projects/Usability/HIG/Messages: Difference between revisions
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Warning and error messages appear when a problem or error has occurred. | Warning and error messages appear when a problem or error has occurred. | ||
===Guidelines=== | |||
Warning and error messages should be: | Warning and error messages should be: | ||
* ''Understandable''. Phrase your messages clearly, in non-technical terms and avoid obscure error codes. | * ''Understandable''. Phrase your messages clearly, in non-technical terms and avoid obscure error codes. | ||
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* ''Polite, non-terrifying and non-blaming''. Avoid wording that terrifies the user ("fatal", "illegal"), blames him for his behavior, and be polite. | * ''Polite, non-terrifying and non-blaming''. Avoid wording that terrifies the user ("fatal", "illegal"), blames him for his behavior, and be polite. | ||
=== Confirmation Button Labels === | ==== Confirmation Button Labels ==== | ||
* To close a warning or error message that does not require further user interaction, provide a Close button. '''Do not use an OK button.''' Users may get confused if they are asked to confirm an error. | * To close a warning or error message that does not require further user interaction, provide a Close button. '''Do not use an OK button.''' Users may get confused if they are asked to confirm an error. | ||
* Use buttons which match the type of statement or question made in the warning or error message. For example, do no ask a Yes/No question but then provide OK/Cancel buttons. | * Use buttons which match the type of statement or question made in the warning or error message. For example, do no ask a Yes/No question but then provide OK/Cancel buttons. | ||
* When the user must choose between two actions to continue, use descriptive button labels instead of standard Yes/No or OK/Cancel buttons. For example, if the user must choose to continue or stop an action, provide the buttons "Continue" and "Cancel". | * When the user must choose between two actions to continue, use descriptive button labels instead of standard Yes/No or OK/Cancel buttons. For example, if the user must choose to continue or stop an action, provide the buttons "Continue" and "Cancel". | ||
=== Error Details === | ==== Error Details ==== | ||
* Provide only a short error message and complement it by a Details button that provides more a detailed explanation in the same error dialog. | * Provide only a short error message and complement it by a Details button that provides more a detailed explanation in the same error dialog. | ||
* If it makes sense for this kind of error, link from the error dialog to the corresponding page in the help system. Provide a Help button then. | * If it makes sense for this kind of error, link from the error dialog to the corresponding page in the help system. Provide a Help button then. | ||
=== Dialog vs. Info Panel === | ==== Dialog vs. Info Panel ==== | ||
* Use dialogs for critical error messages, and when you need to make sure that the user sees the message. | * Use dialogs for critical error messages, and when you need to make sure that the user sees the message. | ||
* Use info panels for non-critical messages which do not require any further user interaction (typically dialogs with a single "OK" or "Close" button). | * Use info panels for non-critical messages which do not require any further user interaction (typically dialogs with a single "OK" or "Close" button). | ||
Revision as of 16:45, 1 August 2008
Warning and error messages appear when a problem or error has occurred.
Guidelines
Warning and error messages should be:
- Understandable. Phrase your messages clearly, in non-technical terms and avoid obscure error codes.
- Specific instead of general. If the message is reporting a problem concerning a specific object or application, use the object or application name when referring to it.
- Informative and constructive. Tell the user the reason for a problem and help on how to solve the problem.
- Polite, non-terrifying and non-blaming. Avoid wording that terrifies the user ("fatal", "illegal"), blames him for his behavior, and be polite.
Confirmation Button Labels
- To close a warning or error message that does not require further user interaction, provide a Close button. Do not use an OK button. Users may get confused if they are asked to confirm an error.
- Use buttons which match the type of statement or question made in the warning or error message. For example, do no ask a Yes/No question but then provide OK/Cancel buttons.
- When the user must choose between two actions to continue, use descriptive button labels instead of standard Yes/No or OK/Cancel buttons. For example, if the user must choose to continue or stop an action, provide the buttons "Continue" and "Cancel".
Error Details
- Provide only a short error message and complement it by a Details button that provides more a detailed explanation in the same error dialog.
- If it makes sense for this kind of error, link from the error dialog to the corresponding page in the help system. Provide a Help button then.
Dialog vs. Info Panel
- Use dialogs for critical error messages, and when you need to make sure that the user sees the message.
- Use info panels for non-critical messages which do not require any further user interaction (typically dialogs with a single "OK" or "Close" button).