Preserve valid answers when a form is rejected

What to change

Request that validation retains appropriate entered answers while clearly identifying only the information that needs correction.

A worked example

Illustrative example

An enquiry with a mistyped email address returns to the form with the message, name and contact preference intact for correction.

How to check the result

Accept when an ordinary validation failure requires only relevant corrections, and any unavoidable cleared field is identified before the next submission.

A mistake to avoid

A page can appear to retain text while actually submitting older values; inspect the resulting test confirmation as well.

Your action checklist

Use these checks to prepare a discussion with your team or supplier. Tick a check when you have recorded the decision or evidence, rather than when a feature has simply been promised.

Decisions to recordFill every field with fictional data and deliberately omit one required answer. Submit and compare each retained value with what you entered.Repeat with a format error and a supplier-simulated server rejection. Ask which fields intentionally clear and whether that behaviour has a documented reason.Correct the failed answer and continue. Check that retained choices, expanded sections and any review screen remain consistent with the visitor's latest inputs.

Evidence, open questions and decisionsNext action and responsible role

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