Error messages and summaries inside radio fields

[hashmat-arshad]

What?

A guide on designing error messages and summaries inside conditional radio fields

See the mural below:
Error Messages and Summary Examples Guidance Mural

Why?

When a user gets something wrong on a page, it’s important they know about it so they can fix it. All users benefit from clear, descriptive error messages that are used consistently.

Good error messages can stop people from making critical mistakes - things that can have serious consequences. This is one of the reasons why people are often stressed when they make an error, so using clear language and design for your error messaging is essential.

Use the mural to help communicate examples of how error messages and error summaries should be built in your service.

This guide provides examples of different scenarios of dealing with validation errors, and how error messages and summaries should be presented in radio fields.

Notes:

• Show an error message next to the field with an error and in the error summary when there is a validation error.
• Summarise all errors at the top of the page the user is on using an error summary.
• These validation messages should appear after the user has selected 'Search'.

Please refer to the design system guidance for more information:

• For error summaries: https://design-system.service.gov.uk/components/error-summary/
• Home Office general error message guidance: https://design.homeoffice.gov.uk/accessibility/error-messages
• GOV.UK general error message guidance: https://design-system.service.gov.uk/components/error-message/