Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
I also confirm Mark's findings - during testing of a relatively complex form, information (e.g. required formatting) placed in fields was unnoticed by many users. They just didn't read it. Once the info was gone, it was harder for them to understand what went wrong and what the proper format was. I'd avoid help text in form fields unless available space is an issue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=48953 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
When checking Google analytics for keyword search within our site I found that 59.6% are the word we are using in the search box Search X. Data from user behavior is the best source of information that let you take decision. I would recommend to do A/B test and check which will get you the highest conversions. There are no researches about this subject and every case is different from the other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=48953 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
I don't have any research points to this either, but mirror @Gayatri's thoughts as far as complex requirements (and essentially erasing the instructions by entering text). The placeholder attribute is on the slate for HTML5, so I'm guessing we'll start seeing a lot more of it. http://www.whatwg.org/specs/web-apps/current-work/multipage/common-input-element-attributes.html#the-placeholder-attribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=48953 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
Hi. We just tested a site for many issues including this one. The participants needed to create a login and password for registration. An email address was required for the login and this was explained in the field. About 80% of our test subjects clicked in the field before reading this nugget of information, thereby obliterating any hope for all but one of getting any further along with the registration. We had one savvy user on his third try guess that an email address might be required based on his previous experience. As a result, this instructional text will be placed outside of the field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=48953 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
I recently saw a neat little bit of jQuery that addresses the problem of the instruction disappearing when the user clicks in the field: http://www.csskarma.com/blog/sliding-labels-v2/ demo: http://www.csskarma.com/lab/slidinglabels2/ It slides the labels to the left as soon as the cursor enters the field. It might be distracting, and I don't think it's appropriate for all uses, but the thinking behind it is good. On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 2:30 PM, Mark Waldo m...@markwaldo.com wrote: Hi. We just tested a site for many issues including this one. The participants needed to create a login and password for registration. An email address was required for the login and this was explained in the field. About 80% of our test subjects clicked in the field before reading this nugget of information, thereby obliterating any hope for all but one of getting any further along with the registration. We had one savvy user on his third try guess that an email address might be required based on his previous experience. As a result, this instructional text will be placed outside of the field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=48953 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org 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 ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
I'm not sure I understand what problem the sliding labels are supposed to solve. I thought putting labels inside input fields was a compromise solution, for placing instructions in forms where few space is available. With sliding labels, the final form occupies the same space than a classic form with labels near to the input fields. So why would you want to use a form with sliding labels when you have the available space to put a complete static form? (I see that the initial state of the sliding label form is cool, and has a more beautiful design. Maybe aesthetics is the primary motivation for this technique?) On 3 February 2010 15:32, Amy Silvers wrote: I recently saw a neat little bit of jQuery that addresses the problem of the instruction disappearing when the user clicks in the field: http://www.csskarma.com/blog/sliding-labels-v2/ demo: http://www.csskarma.com/lab/slidinglabels2/ It slides the labels to the left as soon as the cursor enters the field. It might be distracting, and I don't think it's appropriate for all uses, but the thinking behind it is good. Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
Yes, I think the author is narrowly focused on the problem of the disappearing instructional copy, considered without the context of the entire form. It's true that labels inside fields started out as a solution for limited space, but nowadays I'm also seeing them used in instances where there's plenty of room outside the field for instructional copy. So I think this is more an aesthetic solution--a 'hey, this is cool! technique--than a practical one. On Wed, Feb 3, 2010 at 10:03 AM, Diego Moya turi...@gmail.com wrote: I'm not sure I understand what problem the sliding labels are supposed to solve. I thought putting labels inside input fields was a compromise solution, for placing instructions in forms where few space is available. With sliding labels, the final form occupies the same space than a classic form with labels near to the input fields. So why would you want to use a form with sliding labels when you have the available space to put a complete static form? (I see that the initial state of the sliding label form is cool, and has a more beautiful design. Maybe aesthetics is the primary motivation for this technique?) On 3 February 2010 15:32, Amy Silvers wrote: I recently saw a neat little bit of jQuery that addresses the problem of the instruction disappearing when the user clicks in the field: http://www.csskarma.com/blog/sliding-labels-v2/ demo: http://www.csskarma.com/lab/slidinglabels2/ It slides the labels to the left as soon as the cursor enters the field. It might be distracting, and I don't think it's appropriate for all uses, but the thinking behind it is good. Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
[IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
Does anyone have research to point to regarding the practice of placing instructional text in a field that is meant for user input? For example, on a site like http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ you see Google custom search inside the search field; or http://www.adobe.com/ writes Search Adobe.com inside theirs. I have read articles stating that this can depress overall usage of an input field, as some users become blind to the field if it is not empty, but can't find any now that I need them. Also, what about the use of colored input fields? Do non-white text boxes perform less well than standard white HTML input fields? Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
I am not aware of research in this particular area but I have some general thoughts I worked on something similar recently. There are two things to consider here: 1. In your example of Search Adobe.com a user can read this and start entering their search criteria and there is no specific format they have to follow here. So, in this scenario it's pretty good way of communicating the intent. 2. In places like forms where you may have, for example a phone filed where you have listed the format a user needs to enter the details in(area code, number and ext); given that case if a user starts typing the instructional text goes away and may throw an error if a user was not able to memorize the exact format. Following is an example of handling instructional text for form elements. https://www.ubid.com/registration/default.aspx Hope this helps! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=48953 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
I like how http://www.krop.com has input fields with a distinct color and call to action at the same time. The Live really calls out the Instant nature of their filtered search. I don't know of any metrics that show % increase or decrease in usability. Regarding color, i am under the impression that most users are used to and prefer the default input box setting with their browser, and may assume that colored or redesigned input boxes provide unique experience. But check out Tumblr.com for their super big input custom designed input fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=48953 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
A lot of this is covered in Web Form Design by Luke Wroblevski. http://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/webforms/ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] \help text\ in input fields - bad?
Hi Jayson, I did a quick bit of googling and found this article http://www.webusability.co.uk/2009/dont-put-search-in-a-search-box/ unfortunately it doesn't give empirical evidence for their claim and so you can't really take it as gospel. In terms of styling, just be careful not to style it too much, if it no longer resembles a textbox it will have the reverse effect. There are countless articles on search form design, referring to consistent placement, size of textfield, search goals and search strategies etc the Luke Wroblewski (as recommended above) presentation pretty much covers it all. Hope this is of some help Graham Sear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from ixda.org (via iPhone) http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=48953 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
These are visual language elements. There's no definitive rule on their use that I know of. Whether or not they're good depends on the visual and experiential context in which they are situated. For example, helptext in fields can be useful to prompt user action, to explain the content of a field, or to explain the scope of a search. Putting text in the field can be visually cleaner than finding a place to fit the helptext in the layout, useful in tight spaces such as headers. Obviously, you have to select a text shade that doesn't make it look prefilled. Colored text fields are used to indicate required fields as an alternative to highlighted labeling. If you have a long, scrolling form (vs. a simple signup) it could make for easier scanning to find the required fields, and in theory, faster form completion. On a login form, it would be overkill, or window dressing. If you use them, avoid garish colors or color combinations that interfere with readability. Also, stick with a consistent layout grid. Color highlighting will exaggerate the jagged effect of not aligning form fields. --- On Tue, 2/2/10, Jayson Elliot jayson.ell...@gmail.com wrote: From: Jayson Elliot jayson.ell...@gmail.com Subject: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad? To: disc...@ixda.org Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 2:29 AM Does anyone have research to point to regarding the practice of placing instructional text in a field that is meant for user input? For example, on a site like http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ you see Google custom search inside the search field; or http://www.adobe.com/ writes Search Adobe.com inside theirs. I have read articles stating that this can depress overall usage of an input field, as some users become blind to the field if it is not empty, but can't find any now that I need them. Also, what about the use of colored input fields? Do non-white text boxes perform less well than standard white HTML input fields? Reply to this thread at ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=48953 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org 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 ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
[IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
Use instruction text on the control when space is a concern. Ensure that the instruction text conveys the purpose of the control. For example, 'Search email' in yahoo specifically searches the inbox and not the web . Do not display critical instructions that the user needs to see when using the control. Using colors may cause some readbility issues for color blind or elderly participant. It should be ok, as long as the content is accessible even when the styles or color is turned off. Let me know your findings regarding the use of color. -Suba On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 10:29 AM, Jayson Elliot jayson.ell...@gmail.comwrote: Does anyone have research to point to regarding the practice of placing instructional text in a field that is meant for user input? For example, on a site like http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ you see Google custom search inside the search field; or http://www.adobe.com/ writes Search Adobe.com inside theirs. Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] help text in input fields - bad?
No research, but some common sense from a product point of view. Google custom search is the default suggested by Google. Google does not encourage changing it. Don't read too much into it - don't assume they considered changing it. Google custom search usually replaces internally maintained search. In that case, the prompt's usefulness is in alerting users to expect different results format. Even if it discourages searches, consider that when replacing internal searches in a working website, implementing Google search may increase the success rate of searches considerably (this is easy to measure). This may outweigh some marginal difficulty (and one that's tough to measure). Last comment: Google custom search is a particularly obnoxious display (what with the oversized color logo and a symbol character to top!). A short message, containing only an instruction or sample search, may work better (assuming it disappears on any focus). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=48953 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
