Library of form elements

Following a survey of forms in use around the University a list was compiled of the most common question types and configurations. These have been refined into a ‘pick and choose’ library of form elements that developers can use to build forms that are not only valid, accessible and easy to use, they look good too!

• form
• fieldset
• legend

• text input
• text area
• single checkbox (boolean questions)
• select menu
• multiple select panel
• file select
• multiple checkboxes
• multiple radio buttons

• nested fieldsets
• multiple radio buttons in likert array
• dates, telephone numbers, multiple fields
• telephone - country code, area code and number

• style sheet

In many situations, Javscript can enhance the user experience when dealing with forms. As long as this is done in an accessible and unobtrusive way, the result should be a greatly improved result for all.

• conditional fields eg: where a radio button/checkbox is selected, a ‘child’ question appears
• privacy permission checkbox dependent on email address
• subtype dependent on type (actually, this one should use an option group in a select element)
• where an option of ‘other - please specify’ exists
• date select pop-up calendar
• maxlength alert for characters left