2

Right now I am developing a Fragment for an Android application in a university course and I am facing a usability problem, where I and my fellow students can't really find a good solution.

The challenge is to show the user that a checkbox has a link to a text field. That means, if the checkbox is filled out, the text field has to be filled out too (and of course just the filled out text field without the checkbox is also not valid).

Our approach right now:

Optic:

We are linking the checkbox and text field with a "card design"

Our Fragment

Interaction Design:

Here we have some "solutions", but where are not happy with them:

A) when the user clicks into the text field the checkbox gets selected, and when he leaves we check if the text is empty and then unselect the checkbox.

B) when the user writes something into the text field the checkbox gets selected and when he deletes all the text we unselect the checkbox

C) the text field is inactive (the user cannot write in it) until the checkbox is ticked (I don't really like this solution, because users will try to click in the checkbox I think. And we are not sure how to handle the filled out text field, when the checkbox gets unselected)

Of course we additionally check all the input when the user clicks next, but this is not really error prevention.

These fields are not XOR. the user can check both checkboxes (and then has to fill out both text fields)

We would really much appreciate some feedback and suggestions!

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

What about using progressive disclosure. So when the user clicks on the checkbox you display the input field. This way you will only display the fields when they are needed and use of animation will catch users attention.

Other option is removing checkboxes and asking the user to fill out one of the input fields.

Please select one of the alternative delivery instructions:

Leave the product with:

-------------OR-------------

Leave the product at:

Could disable 2nd input if the 1st was filled out. Or why not giving both options. So the delivery man could either give it to a person or leave it in a specified loccation

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    First suggestion (progressive disclosure) would be a good solution
    – Dave Haigh
    Commented Aug 7, 2014 at 11:58
  • Thanks for your reply! I really like the progressive disclosure idea and we will test it. But everything in you answer after "Please select one of[...]" is not really relevant as it is not forbidden to fill out both text fields. I thought that was clear, but I now added that to the question.
    – Robert
    Commented Aug 7, 2014 at 13:26
  • @Robert great, I would suggest using progressive disclosure!
    – Igor-G
    Commented Aug 7, 2014 at 13:31

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.