GOOD FORM DESIGN

To design forms that people find useful, four guidelines for form design should be observed:
1. Make forms easy to fill in.
2. Ensure that forms meet the purpose for which they are designed.
3. Design forms to ensure accurate completion.
4. Keep forms attractive.

1.Making Forms Easy to Fill In

To reduce error, speed completion, and facilitate the entry of data, it is essential that forms
be easy to fill in. The cost of forms is minimal compared with the cost of the time employees
spend filling them in and then entering data into the information system. It is often possible to
eliminate the process of transcribing data that are entered on a form into the system by
using electronic submission. That method often features data keyed in by users themselves,
who visit websites set up for informational or ecommerce transactions.
FORM FLOW. Designing a form with proper flow can minimize the time and effort
employees expend in form completion. Forms should flow from left to right and top to
bottom. Illogical flow takes extra time and is frustrating. A form that requires people
to go directly to the bottom of the form and then skip back up to the top for
completion has poor flow. SEVEN SECTIONS OF A FORM. A second method that
makes it easy for people to fill out forms correctly is logical grouping of information.
The seven main sections of a form are the following: 1. Heading 2. Identification and
access 3. Instructions 4. Body 5. Signature and verification 6. Totals 7. Comments

The heading section usually includes the name and address of the business
originating the form. ) This information is very important when an organization is
required to keep the document for a specified number of years.

The middle of the form is its body This part of the form requires the most detail and
development from the person completing it. The body is the part of the form most likely to
contain explicit, variable data.

The bottom quarter of the form is composed of three sections: signature and verification,
totals, and comments. Requiring ending totals and a summary of comments is a logical way
to provide closure for the person filling out the form.
Captioning is a crucial technique for guiding users through form completion, ensuring clarity
and accuracy in data entry. There are various methods of captioning, each with its
advantages and considerations:

1. **Line Captions**: These can be placed to the left of blanks or below the line where data
will be entered. Placing the caption below the line allows more room for data but may cause
confusion regarding the associated line. Consistency in placement is essential for clarity.

2. **Boxed Captions**: Boxes can be used instead of lines, with captions placed inside,
above, or below the box. Boxes help users enter data accurately and make the form easier
to read. Captions should use a small type size to avoid dominating the entry area.
3. **Check-off Captions**: These are ideal for restricted response options, such as travel
methods or department selections. They are more efficient than blank lines in such cases
and help remind users to provide necessary documentation.

4. **Table Captions**: Suitable for forms requiring detailed information, table captions
organize data coherently. Users effectively create tables for the next person receiving the
form, streamlining data processing.

Combining caption styles can enhance form usability. For instance, table captions can
specify categories, while line captions indicate where subtotals and totals should be entered.
Employing multiple caption styles in each form accommodates different purposes and
enhances user comprehension and accuracy.
Metting the Intended Purpose
Forms serve vital roles in businesses, aiding in the recording, processing, storing, and
retrieval of information. Specialty forms are particularly valuable when different departments
or users require varied data while sharing fundamental information. These forms, prepared
by stationers, include multiple-part forms for instant triplicates, continuous-feed forms for
seamless printing, and perforated forms
Ensuring Accurate Completion
Designing forms to promote accurate completion significantly reduces error rates associated
with data collection. Proper design ensures that users understand how to fill out the form
correctly. For instance, when service employees like meter readers or inventory takers utilize
handheld devices for data entry, transcription errors are eliminated. These devices enable
direct scanning or data input at the site, and data is transmitted wirelessly or uploaded to
larger systems, bypassing the need for further manual transcription.
Good display and Web forms design
Good form design principles are applicable to display design for websites, web pages,
smartphones, and tablets. Users should always be the primary focus during display design.
However, there are differences to consider. Unlike paper forms, displays feature a constant
cursor, guiding users through data entry. Additionally, electronic forms allow for
context-sensitive user help, reducing clutter and minimizing calls to technical support.
Web-based design also enables the use of hyperlinks to provide users with examples of
correctly filled-out forms. These differences should be understood and utilized by systems
analysts to optimize display design.

Sure, here's a shortened version:

1. **Heading Section**: This top section features titles of software, open files, pulldown
menus, and icons for various tasks.

2. **Body Section**: The middle part allows for data entry and is organized from left to right,
top to bottom. It includes captions, instructions, and context-sensitive help available via
right-click.

3. **Comments and Instructions Section**: The bottom section displays commands such as
changing pages or functions, saving files, or terminating entry. It offers basics to make users
feel secure and may include context-sensitive help, roll-over buttons, or pop-up windows.
Users can customize and control their display with multiple windows or hyperlinks on
web-based forms.

If users are working from paper forms, displays should follow what is shown on paper.
Displays can be kept consistent by locating information in the same area each time a new
display is accessed. Also, information that logically belongs together should be consistently
grouped together: Name and address go together, not name and zip code. Although the
display should have a natural movement from one region to another, information should not
overlap from one group to another. You would not want name and address in one area and
zip code in another.

Facilitating Movement
The third guideline for good display design is to make it easy to move from one page to
another. The “three-clicks” rule says that users should be able to get to the pages they need
within three mouse clicks or keyboard strokes. Web-based forms facilitate movement with
the use of hyperlinks to other relevant web pages. Another common method for movement is
to have users feel as if they are physically moving to a new page. This illusion of physical
movement among screens can be obtained by using scrolling arrows, context-sensitive
pop-up windows, or onscreen dialog.

Designing an Attractive and Pleasing Display

Displays should draw users into them and hold their attention. This goal is accomplished
with the use of plenty of open area surrounding data entry fields so that the display achieves
an uncluttered appearance. You should never crowd a form; similarly, you should never
crowd a display. You are far better off using multiple windows or hyperlinks than jamming
everything onto one page. Use logical flows in the plan to your display pages. Organize
material to take advantage of the way people conceptualize their work so that they can
easily find their way around. With the advent of GUIs, it is possible to make input displays
very attractive. By using color or shaded boxes and creating three-dimensional boxes and
arrows, you can make forms user friendly and fun to use. When contemplating the use of
different font styles and sizes, ask yourself if they truly assist the user in understanding and
approving of the display. If they draw undue attention to the art of display design or if they
serve as a distraction, leave them out. Be aware that not all web pages are viewed
identically by different browsers. Test your prototype forms with a variety of combinations to
see if users declare preferences for combinations or whether they are distressing to the
majority of users. For Web fonts, use Verdana or Arial.

Icon Here's a condensed version of the text:

Icons in display design represent computer actions and are easily selected using various
input devices. They serve similar functions to words but are quicker to grasp. Guidelines for
effective icon design include using readily recognizable shapes, utilizing standard icons to
tap into common meanings, and limiting the number of icons to prevent overwhelming users.
Consistent use of icons within applications ensures continuity and understandability. Overall,
icons are valuable if they convey meaningful actions.
Graphical User Interface Design
Text boxes are represented by rectangles and are used for data entry and display fields.
Each text box should have a caption, and care should be taken to ensure it's large enough to
accommodate all characters. In Microsoft Access, character data is left-aligned, and numeric
data is right-aligned. HTML5 introduces placeholders, which provide hints for input and
disappear when clicked or tabbed into. New types of text boxes in HTML5, such as email,
telephone, and URL, offer customized keyboard layouts on mobile devices. HTML5 also
includes a datalist feature for displaying predefined suggestions in a drop-down list, aiding
user input through autocomplete.

Here's a shortened version:

**Check Boxes**: Used for nonexclusive choices, can be marked with an X or a check mark
(✓). Labels are placed to the right, with an order for multiple options. More than 10 can be
grouped in a bordered box.

**Option Buttons (Radio Buttons)**: For exclusive choices, only one option can be selected.
Usually listed to the right, with a default option selected. Option groups can contain radio
buttons. If more than six options, consider using a list box or drop-down list.

**List and Drop-Down List Boxes**: List box displays options, drop-down list conserves
space. Choice displayed in a rectangle with an arrow, selection replaces the arrow. Default
choice may be preselected.

**Tab Control Dialog Boxes**: Tabs organize features, commonly used tabs displayed first
with OK, Cancel, and Help buttons.

**Sliders and Spin Buttons**: Change continuous values, sliders adjust values by sliding,
spin buttons adjust values incrementally.

**Calendar Control**: Select dates or date/time using a pop-up calendar, common in booking
sites.

**Image Maps**: Click points in an image to select values, used in web pages with maps.

**Text Areas**: Enter larger text amounts, can have word wrap enabled or disabled.

**Message Boxes**: Warn users or provide feedback, appears in a rectangular window with
clear messages.

**Command Buttons**: Perform actions when clicked, text centered inside a rectangular
button. Default action may be indicated.