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Where to add a tooltip's icon in a form's input field?

Let's assume we have a form with a simple input field like:

 label: <input>

and we want to place a tooltip icon "?". Does it matter where we place it, for example:

label ?:  <input>

vs

? label: <input>

vs

 label: <input> ?

What is the least annoying option for the user, but still clear and visible? Or are all approaches good?

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  • 2
    I believe the first one first one is the most appropriate, I read the label, digest the info, if it's not clear I get more information BEFORE I write down my answer.
    – LEOPiC
    Aug 23, 2011 at 20:41

1 Answer 1

8

I would go with

label: textfied (?)

for a user who doesn't need the hint, it's safely tucked away AFTER the textbox so it won't distract him.

I am assuming the 'tip' here is to guide users who have no idea what to enter in a particular field as opposed to preempting a frequently entered wrong answer (eg: formatting...in which case the hint must always be displayed rather than a using tooltip).

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  • accepted, thanks for pointing out the purpose of the tooltip! you assume right that my intention was to just give a hint for users who have no idea what to type in, however the point about formatting is very nice!
    – mkk
    Aug 23, 2011 at 22:22

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