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Is there any model for completing a web-based form where you show the data the user has previously entered, as well as the form fields with the current values? I'm working with another developer on this, and I don't know where he came up with this idea; speaking for myself, I've never come across such a pattern on the web.

For instance; suppose State, City, and Zip Code were all fields on the form. Some values are pre-populated when the initial data is imported behind the scenes, others are not; either way, a data entry person then validated/edits the form fields.

The only gain I see from this is that you know if you enter a different value, it's not what the original value was. But even so, the way this system works, these "original values" are the previously entered values, not even the original import values.

Is this a suitable method to have implemented into such a form, or does this sound like a bad idea? To me, it over-complicates the interface.

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  • Do you want to show previously-entered values just for the field in focus or for all fields at once?
    – dnbrv
    Mar 13, 2012 at 19:03
  • All fields at once. (It's not me who wants to do this, it's the other developer.)
    – mg1075
    Mar 13, 2012 at 19:23
  • OK. In that case, I've understood you correctly, so I'm undeleting my answer.
    – dnbrv
    Mar 13, 2012 at 19:37
  • Is there a reason why "Your previous entry" values have to be in input fields, rather than as text?
    – Jung Lee
    Mar 13, 2012 at 23:15

3 Answers 3

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Most browsers have an "Undo" functionality, so I would simply rely on that. If a user wants to see what a field had before they started editing, they can simply Undo a bunch, take a look, and then Redo from there if they want to get back to what they had just done.

I agree that it overcomplicates the interface but I could see where it might be useful, and, to me at least, is an interesting design problem. (Not that I've solved it, but I have at least offered another solution to the core issue...I think)

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Google Chrome does essentially this. Once you type in the first letter, which for me is an 'M', it will auto-fill the entire form and ask me if I want to keep it. This is a fantastic feature and the main reason I switched over to Chrome.

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    I'm not so sure that's the kind of data suggestion they want to implement.
    – dnbrv
    Mar 13, 2012 at 19:00
  • @dnbrv are you sure? "Label Form Field Previous value State < state drop down list> < read-only value > City < text field > < read-only value > Zip < text field > < read-only value > " Mar 13, 2012 at 19:05
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That will add unnecessary clutter to the interface.

If you want to show the current value during editing, you simply need to switch the form to inline editing (i.e. combine read & edit views into one by populating editable fields with existing data). Many (most?) web services, such as Twitter and Facebook to some extent, already do it. Take a look at the answers to the question Should edit details form be in a modal dialog or directly on the page? for more detailed explanations.

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  • "You're adding..." - like I said in my question, it was another developer who wanted to do it. I completely agree that it adds clutter!
    – mg1075
    Mar 13, 2012 at 21:14
  • @mg1075: Reworded to shift the blame to the other guy. =)
    – dnbrv
    Mar 13, 2012 at 22:10

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