Keep correction messages close to existing input guidance

What to change

Ask the supplier to show useful correction guidance alongside the field's enduring instruction, in a stable reading order.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A reference number field retains its example format while explaining which part of the entered reference needs checking. The visitor does not reopen a separate help panel.

How to check the result

Accept when the field provides enough context for one clear correction and returns to its ordinary guidance after the issue is resolved.

A mistake to avoid

Stacking several near-identical warnings can obscure the one detail the visitor actually needs to change.

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 recordChoose a constrained field and trigger its most common error. Compare the original hint, new message and entered value on desktop and a narrow screen.Ask a colleague to correct the answer using only those nearby details. Record any conflict, repeated wording or instruction that disappears during correction.Have a screen reader user or tester navigate directly to the field. Confirm the question, relevant hint and error can be understood together.

Evidence, open questions and decisionsNext action and responsible role

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