Menu and Form Fill-in User Interfaces

Menu Architectures

• Single
• Linear sequence
• Tree
• Acyclic network
• Cyclic network

Menu Screen Display Types

• Text - single key
• Text - pointing device
• Icon - pointing device
• Radio buttons
• Check boxes
• Pull-down or pop-up
• Permanent (e.g. command bars)

GOMS Model for Menu User Task

Step1. Search screen for item matching part of task description.

Step2. if match then
          choose menu item
       else
         go to appropriate place in menu structure

Step3. if task accomplished then
         return with goal accomplished

Step4. go to Step1.

Must ensure:

• Search and matching (Step1) is easy
• Items must be recognizable in terms of task goals
• Menu structure must reflect task structure
• Minimum learning required for navigation knowledge required (Step2)
• Choosing items must be consistent and easy
• Dealing with failure to match or other error must be consistent and easy
• Must have only one good navigation method

Menu Guidelines

• Breadth preferred over depth for submenus
• Provide means to move back up menu hierarchy

Menu Item Guidelines

• Command set small enough to fit within single menu
• User always have access to all possible menu items without having to refer to a manual
• Logical presentation sequences (time, numeric, alphabetic, physical properties, function/task organization, frequency of use, most important first)
• Icons harder to recognize than words for abstract concepts
• Avoid screen clutter
• Don’t assume user will notice subtle cues (e.g. color or border changes)

Making Selection Easy

• Provide command key bypasses for frequent commands
• Ensure consistent selection and navigation methods throughout
• Be aware of Fitt's law conderations for pointing devices

Supporting Learning

• Don’t automatically rearrange menus (e.g. gray out inactive items)
• User mnemonic identifiers and allow BLT type ahead

Menu Screen Design Guidelines

• Use task semantics to organize menu
• Prefer breadth over depth
• Show position using graphic, numbers, titles, etc.
• Use menu titles in trees
• Use meaningful item grouping
• Use meaningful item sequencing
• Make items brief, begin with keyword
• Use consistent grammar, layout, terminology
• Allow type ahead, jump ahead, or shortcuts
• Allow jumps to previous or main menus
• Consider on-line help and novel selection or display devices

Form Fill-in

GOMS Model

goal - minimize learning and time needed to use form fill-in

Step1. Search screen for next field to be filled in

Step2. Move cursor to next field

Step3. Figure out what to type and type it in

Step4. if all fields correct then
         indicate you are finished
       else
         move cursor to incorrect field and change entry

Step5. go to Step1

Must ensure that:

• Search (Step1) and thinking (Step3) are easy
• Cursor movement (Step2) and finished signal (Step4) are consistent and easy to learn
• Correction methods (Step4) are simple and easy to learn

Form Fill-in Guidelines (Kieras)

• Preserve similarities with existing paper forms
• Do not force entry order
• Provide on-screen navigation instructions
• Use good graphic layout
• Describe special entry formats
• Apply validity checks and provide clear feedback on errors

Form Fill-in Guidelines

• Meaningful title
• Comprehensible instructions
• Logical grouping and sequencing of fields
• Visually appealing form layout
• Familiar field labels
• Consistent terminology and abbreviation
• Visible space and boundaries for data entry fields
• Convenient cursor movement
• Error correction for characters and entire fields
• Optional fields marked clearly
• Explanatory messages for fields

Dialog Box Guidelines

• Meaningful title
• Top-left to bottom right sequencing
• Proper clustering and emphasis
• Consistent language
• Consistent terminology, fonts, capitalization, justification
• Standard buttons
• Error prevention by direct manipulation

Dialog Box External Relationship Guidelines

• Smooth appearance and disappearance
• Distinguishable boundaries
• Sized to reduce overlap problems
• Displayed close to appropriate screen objects
• No overlap of required items
• Easy to make disappear
• Clear directions to cancel or complete operations