Web Do's & Don'ts » Forms

Use inline validation in web forms

Bojan — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:35:26 +0000

Use inline validation in forms to provide real-time feedback and enhance the usability. Not only will it make the web forms easier to use, but it will decrease the completion times and errors made and increase the success rate.

Use the title attribute on form elements

Siniša — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:43:58 +0000

The title attribute offers an extra avenue for associating text to a form field. It should not be used as the first means of associating a label text with a corresponding form field. In situations where supplementary information is useful, the title attribute is helpful.

Don’t add reset buttons in forms

Bojan — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:50:04 +0000

Don’t add reset buttons in forms unless you have a very good reason. Ask yourself, what is the real benefit from resetting the form? If a user resets the button by mistake, there is no way to undo the reset, the data is lost and the form has to be filled out all over again.

Group form controls by using fieldset and legend elements

Siniša — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:16:22 +0000

The grouping and labeling of thematically related controls within a form is an important aspect of providing semantic information so users can understand and complete a form successfully.

Use the label element to make forms accessible

Bojan — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:29:15 +0000

Make sure you use the HTML label element properly and associate it with a form control.

Use an asterisk to indicate required fields

Bojan — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:26:52 +0000

Use an asterisk (*) to indicate form fields which must be filled in. Don’t forget to provide the title attribute for audio user agents. Extra tip: color it red to emphasize its importance.