Skip to main content

Tooltips

Tooltips are small, informative pop-up elements that often appear when a user hovers over or focuses on a user interface element. They provide helpful context or explanations without cluttering the main interface, making them a valuable tool for enhancing usability and guiding users through complex features.

General rules​

Use tooltips to define icons and show control names.

  • Edit
  • Delete
  • Log out

Avoid punctuation or periods for tool names or icons.

  • Edit
  • Open file
  • Edit.
  • Open file.

Use sentence case and a period if the tooltip is a complete sentence or multiple sentences.

  • Add users to project.
  • Add new users to project

Use verbs to start your tooltip and avoid passive voice.

  • Create KPI tables.
  • Tables are created.

Avoid complicated sentence constructions, e.g. no relative clauses.

  • Share with team members.
  • Projects can be shared with team members who work with you.

Use a heading with a short description for longer tooltips.

  • Heading: Cycle time input
    Description: Set the duration of each production cycle in seconds.
  • Heading: Log history
    Description: View historical logs of machine activity and operator actions.

Avoid repeating text already visible and readable on the screen.

  • Edit (as icon)
    Tooltip: Edit
  • Edit (as text)
    Tooltip: Edit

Dos and Don'ts​

  • Do write tooltips to give more context about complex features
  • Do write tooltips to support beginners
  • Don’t use tooltips to convey lengthy or critical information
  • Don’t add irrelevant information, instead focus on context