Texts for Interface Elements - Overview

Overview of Interface Elements | Overview of Text Types for Interface Elements

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Various studies of internet scenarios and usability have determined that the interface of Web applications must also support users in their work. This section contains guidelines on how to formulate uniform and supportive texts and their appropriate position on the interface.

The guidelines are organized according to the interface elements on or around which texts may appear. They refer to the interface texts of Web applications that appear in the mySAP.com Workplace. That is, they apply to all texts on the interface in a Web application regardless of the development environment or the technology with which the Web application is developed.

 

Overview of Interface Elements

The following graphic shows the interface elements of Web applications in which text may appear:

Figure 1: Possible locations for texts in Web applications

 

Overview of Text Types for Interface Elements

The following table shows you the text types that can be assigned to the different interface elements:

Interface Element

Possible Text Types

Application title

  • Name of the application
  • Name of the screen if application has several screens (for example, Overview, Details)
  • Greeting together with user name

Table title

Description of what is listed in table

Group box title

Description of content within group box

Individual elements

In general:

  • Descriptors and, if necessary, unit of measure
  • Instructions, if necessary

For input fields:

  • Indication of whether field is required
  • Explanation of format or example of entry

For pushbuttons:

  • System response to pushbutton
  • Instruction on using the pushbutton, if necessary

Group of elements

  • Descriptor for each element
  • General instruction, if necessary
  • Reason for or consequences of a specific entry combination, if necessary

Message

  • Message from system to user in specific situations
  • System response to user to make a decision

 

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Source:  SAP Reference Lists