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Is it acceptible to include an example/illustration in a parameter label?

We have a feature that can read numbers imported via Excel spreadsheet as minor currency units, meaning if the user enters 60 the system understands .60.

We have a paramater that activates this feature, when ticked.

The proper general terms I have found for cents, pence, and the like are not very clear and therefore we can't find a good, short way to express the feature in the short space alloted for the parameter label.

My question is, can I give the following title:

Amounts are in Minor Units (e.g. cents, pence)

Process flow:

  1. The user enters amounts (such as the number 60) in the spreadsheet. These numbers are all cents.
  2. The user goes to the import paramaters screen
  3. The user specifies the currency of these amounts (USD in our case)
  4. The user marks this parameter to tell the system that all amounts should be read as ________ (minor units/fractional units/other, better word...).
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  • Could we see a wireframe or something that shows the amount of space you're talking about? - it would also be great to know if you've tried other thinks like a denomination selector alongside the field (£,$,p,c for example).
    – Roux Martin
    Commented Mar 27, 2017 at 10:32
  • What about changing the system?
    – Dimitra Miha
    Commented Mar 27, 2017 at 10:36
  • @AndrewMartin - i have edited the question a bit, hope this makes it clearer.
    – DAE
    Commented Mar 27, 2017 at 10:38
  • @DimitraMiha, I am not in the position to change the system, furthermore I don't understand exactly what you mean and how that can help
    – DAE
    Commented Mar 27, 2017 at 10:39
  • If I understood correctly, the only thing that changes is the unit (you don't change the number the user enters). I think making a distinction between Major units and Minor units is not helping. It might be better to simply say Unit X, Unit Y. no?
    – Alvaro
    Commented Mar 27, 2017 at 11:03

2 Answers 2

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Is there a reason why you want to put the example in the field label? One common pattern I've seen is putting the example in the field itself by default, which disappears when the user actually focuses on the field for data entry.

Example

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  • it's a checkbox....
    – DAE
    Commented Mar 27, 2017 at 14:53
  • It doesn't sound like a checkbox from your original description. It sounds like a currency field. You should probably provide some screenshots, wireframes, etc. because clearly your design problem is causing quite a bit of confusion among the people trying to offer solutions.
    – mtv.vac
    Commented Mar 27, 2017 at 20:49
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Here are two suggestions from me:

The user marks this parameter to tell the system that all amounts should be read as --------------

  • Nickels & Pennies

  • Units less than 1 dollar / Units less than a dollar

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