The Text Area: Enabling Multi-Line Text Input
The Text Area component provides users with a larger input area for entering longer messages, paragraphs, or blocks of text.
Features
Discover the key features of the Text area component.
Flexible Text Entry
Text Area allows for versatile text input, accommodating various content lengths and types. Users can input paragraphs, lists, or other content formats with ease, enhancing usability and flexibility in data entry tasks.
Resizable Input Field
Users can adjust the size of the input area for comfortable text entry, ensuring an optimal writing experience. With the ability to resize the input field, users can customize the text area to suit their preferences and needs, enhancing overall user satisfaction.
Customizable Design
Tailor text area styles to match interface seamlessly, ensuring consistency and alignment with your brand's visual identity. Customize text area components to suit different design themes or preferences, enhancing overall interface appeal and user experience while maintaining a cohesive design language.
Anatomy
Field Label
A concise and descriptive label that signifies the purpose or expected input of the component.
Text Area Box
The main space where users can type their content.
Character Counter (if character limit variant is used)
Displays the number of characters entered out of the total allowable characters.
Resizable icon
Indicating options for responsive adjustments
Help Description Label
Provides additional context or instructions to guide users during their interaction.
Example Use Cases
Form Inputs
Incorporating Text Area components into forms where users are required to provide detailed textual information, such as comments, feedback, descriptions, or notes.
Messaging Systems
Integrating Text Area components into messaging applications or chat interfaces to enable users to compose and send longer messages or replies.
Content Creation
Providing Text Area components in content creation tools, such as blogging platforms or content management systems, for users to write and edit articles, blog posts, or other written content.
Data Entry
Utilizing Text Area components in data entry interfaces where users need to input large amounts of text data, such as in spreadsheet applications or data entry forms.
Code Editing
Incorporating Text Area components into code editors or integrated development environments (IDEs) to allow developers to write and edit code snippets, scripts, or programming languages.
Guidelines for Usage
To effectively use the Text Area component in designs, consider the following guidelines:
Size and Resizability: Design the Text Area component to have an appropriate size and allow users to resize it vertically and/or horizontally to accommodate varying amounts of text input.
Scrollbars: Provide optional vertical and/or horizontal scrollbars within the Text Area component to allow users to navigate through the content easily, especially when the text exceeds the visible area.
Placeholder Text: Use placeholder text within the Text Area component to provide users with guidance or instructions on what type of information to input.
Accessibility: Ensure that the Text Area component is accessible to users with disabilities by implementing features such as keyboard navigation support, focus indicators, and ARIA attributes.
Validation and Feedback: Implement input validation to validate the content entered by users and provide clear feedback or error messages if the input does not meet the required criteria.
Variants
Responsive
Adapts and resizes based on the amount of content and the display dimensions. Perfect for platforms where varying screen sizes are expected.
Character Limit
Comes with a predefined limit to the number of characters users can input. This is often paired with a visible counter to inform users of the remaining characters available.
States
.input :enabled
The default state where the component is fully interactive and ready for user actions. It appears normal and invites interaction.
.input :hover
The state when a user places their cursor over the component, indicating it is ready for interaction and often visually changes to show responsiveness.
.input :focus
The state showing that the component is currently selected or active, highlighted for user awareness and accessibility purposes, often with a border or shadow.
.input: success
The state indicating a successful action or positive result, often highlighted with a specific color like green or an icon like a checkmark to reinforce the success message.
.input: error
The state indicating a problem or error, usually highlighted with specific colors like red and icons such as an error symbol to signal an issue that needs resolution.
.input: *disabled
The state where the component is visible but non-interactive, indicating it is not available for use. It often appears faded or greyed out to signal its inactivity.
Best Practices vs. Common Pitfalls
Do:
Do ensure sufficient padding inside the text area to guarantee legibility and comfort for users.
Do use clear and contrasting colors for text and background to maintain readability.
Do provide clear feedback for the error state to guide users in correcting their input.
Do ensure the character counter (if present) updates in real-time as users type.
Don't:
Don't make the text area too narrow, causing users to scroll excessively.
Don't clutter the UI around the text area, allow ample space for users to focus on their content.
Don't use a character limit unless necessary, as it might restrict users from expressing fully.