User interface best practices

Last updated July 23, 2011. Created by catch on June 25, 2009.
Edited by Bojhan, David_Rothstein, jsims281, Thomas_Zahreddin. Log in to edit this page.

Form Elements

When offering a choice of two options, use a checkbox if the options are easily understood to be the opposites of each other (e.g. yes or no question, turning a setting on or off, etc.). Use radio buttons if the options are not necessarily opposites of each other (e.g. use format A or format B for output).

When offering a small number of choices, use checkboxes if the options can be independently selected, and radio buttons if they are mutually exclusive.

When offering more than 10 options, always use a select list rather than radio buttons or checkboxes.

Never use a fieldset for a single form item.

Fieldsets

• Don't put a fieldset around the main interaction