System messages

Ensure that messages are short, direct, informative, grammatically correct, jargon-free, have the proper punctuation, and have consistent capitalization.

Buttons

Properly label buttons in dialogs. Use title case for button labels. If there is a question in the message text, have the buttons provide clear options for answering that question. Avoid labels that are too wordy, as these may become even longer in other languages.
Bad
  • Are you sure you want to cancel the quote? [Cancel] [Yes]
  • Are you sure you want to withdraw this policy change? [Cancel] [Yes]
Good
  • Are you sure that you want to withdraw this policy change? [No] [Yes]

Confirmation messages

Inform the user about a result without an exclamation point, with correct punctuation and in sentence case. If using a title, keep it short, use title case, and punctuate correctly. Ensure that the title does not simply repeat the same information as the message.
Bad
  • 12 buildings created!
Good
  • You have successfully added 12 buildings.

Drop-down hint

Use "(none)" when that is a valid option, and "(select)" when it is required.
Bad
  • --Choose Producer Code--
  • --None Selected--
Good
  • (none)

Headings

If a system message has a heading, make it meaningful, but short, and with proper punctuation. Make sure that dialogs have headings. Use title case for headings. Make the heading different from the message below it.
Bad
  • Are you sure you want to cancel?
  • Are you sure you want to leave this page?
Good
  • Cancel Quote?
  • Leave Page?

Hover-over pop-ups

If the text in the pop-up is a complete sentence, use the appropriate punctuation. If the pop-up is related to an interaction object, have the text explain what the interaction does. Use sentence case.
Bad
  • View Buildings
Good
  • View and edit building details.

Message text

Give a system message meaningful explanatory text that makes it clear who did what and what is the result. If possible, provide recovery steps in error messages. Use proper punctuation.
Bad
  • An error occurred while attempting to save quote submission.
  • Failed to retrieve policy billing data
  • Phone number is missing.
Good
  • The information that you provided has raised underwriting issues for your quote.
  • Are you sure that you want to cancel the new quote?
  • Enter the phone number.

Tooltips

If the tooltip is a complete sentence, use the appropriate punctuation. Use sentence case.
Bad
  • If you feel this code is incorrect create an activity for the assigned Underwriter
Good
  • If you think this code is incorrect, create an activity for the assigned underwriter.