Learn about this crucial aspect of web design that ensures an inclusive and accessible online experience, aids in form navigation, and promotes clarity.
Why are Missing Form Field Labels Important?
- Screen Reader Accessibility:
Providing descriptive labels for form fields ensures that users who rely on screen readers can understand the purpose and expected input for each field, and easily interact with the form. - Contextual Understanding:
Clear labels help all users to grasp the context and relevance of each form field within the broader context of the form or webpage. - Keyboard Navigation:
Descriptive form field labels enhance keyboard navigation, allowing users to navigate through the form efficiently using tab keys. Without proper labels, users may struggle to understand which field they are currently focused on. - Compliance with Accessibility Standards:
Including labels for form fields is a fundamental requirement under the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure website accessibility. Compliance with these standards is crucial for meeting legal and ethical obligations to accommodate users with disabilities.
For the most part, our Forms element prevents you from leaving a blank form field, with one exception: checkboxes/radios. This particular form field is often used as a checklist, with blank options. For users utilizing screenreaders, it may be unclear what the checkbox is referring to so it is important to make sure all fields are named.
For example:
For a step-by-step example of finding and fixing form field issues like this, see below!
Looking to add labels to an embedded HTML form field? Check out our embed HTML form field article.