Distinguish selecting a file from completing its upload

What to change

Ask for distinct, accurate states for selected, transferring, completed and failed attachments.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A selected document shows Uploading until transfer completes, then Ready. A failure leaves a clear retry or remove route instead of an ambiguous filename.

How to check the result

Accept when visitors can tell whether an attachment is actually ready and submission behaviour matches that state.

A mistake to avoid

A progress bar reaching its end may describe bytes sent without confirming the server accepted the file, so define the completion signal carefully.

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 harmless larger test file on a slower connection. Observe the filename, progress feedback and availability of the next action while transfer is pending.Ask the supplier to demonstrate a failed transfer. The interface should not retain a completed-looking attachment marker beside a file that never arrived.Use a screen reader to inspect meaningful state changes. Progress feedback should be useful without repeatedly announcing every tiny change in the transfer.

Evidence, open questions and decisionsNext action and responsible role

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