Hello Hugh, It depends on the task:
If primary task is filling new form field after field from linear data stream (copying data from paper form, for example), choose single column layout (with labels on top). If form processing is non-linear (as in editing partially filled forms) or copying data from a source with a different data flow from online form, choose layout with multiple columns to increase information density/reduce information hunting. You might also consider three column layout, if data presented is uniform (multiple date fields, for example). If data comparison is important (as in Yohan's examples), present data in tables. I am very much interested in the results of your usability study, by the way. -- Oleh Kovalchuke Interaction Design is design of time http://www.tangospring.com/IxDtopicWhatIsInteractionDesign.htm On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 2:47 PM, Hugh Griffith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello everyone, > > Does anyone know of any data, or have an opinion, about laying out forms in > multiple columns? > > At my job, the business is constantly complaining about all the white space > on the right side of a long form when I lay it out in the standard way. > Arranging the labels and inputs into two columns, flowing from left to > right, seems an obvious solution to the problem. (I lay out my forms with > the labels above the inputs, by the way.) > > So in this scenario, a form would look like this: > > Label Label > [input] [input] > > Label Label > [input] [input] > > > Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! > > Thanks, > > Hugh Griffith > Interaction Designer > www.design-spectacle.com > > PS. I plan on testing this soon in our Ulab. I'll share the results when > I'm > done. > ________________________________________________________________ > Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! > To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe > List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines > List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help > ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
