How to indicate a text field is autocomplete capable? [duplicate]

Question

Possible Duplicate:
How to tell the user that an input box is autocomplete-enabled?

Has anyone come across any kind of visual indicator that suggests a text field will autocomplete? Anything that is becoming standard/common?

Answer 1

A down-arrow, similar to a combo box, would indicate that some kind of list will drop down on focus, preparing the user for suggestions. It could either show an empty list, perhaps with a message like "Start typing for suggestions", or show some common suggestions as lazyboy proposed. The appropriate default would of course be different for different cases. I do think it should drop down with something if you were to show a down-arrow, or the lack of response upon clicking will simply confuse the user more than a plain text box would--counterproductive.

Answer 2

"If you open a form and click inside a text field, how do you know it has autocomplete without beginning to type?"
Whenever the user focuses on the textfield, immediately provide an autocomplete feedback (for empty string/top scored results). Say a user is autocompleting a country field, then focusing on the textfield would immediately show top 5 (or how many you like) countries based on some criteria/score. Most chances are user will not have to type anything if they are sorted correctly. If the user decideds to type "A", filter and show the suggestions for "A".

Answer 3

Potential idea: Use a fancier placeholder text that looks like part of a word is typed and then a lighter, autocomplete style text is after it - with a cursor between them.

Here's a super simple Photoshop mockup of the idea (imagine it without the underline).