Understandable / 3.3 Input Assistance
3.3.3Error Suggestion
Level AAWhen an input error is automatically detected and the likely correction can be inferred, show a concrete suggestion -- for example, "Enter the date as YYYY-MM-DD". Where 3.3.1 only requires pointing out what's wrong, this criterion goes further and says how to fix it. Password fields and similar cases are exempt, since revealing the correct value would defeat the field's purpose.
Note
A detailed commentary for this success criterion is not yet available. In the meantime, this page lists related patterns, techniques, and links to the normative sources.
Related Techniques
Specific implementation techniques for meeting this success criterion. This site doesn't include the full text, so follow the links to the original W3C documents.
Sufficient Techniques(5)
- ARIA18: Using aria-alertdialog to Identify Errors(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G84: Providing a text description when the user provides information that is not in the list of allowed values(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G85: Providing a text description when user input falls outside the required format or values(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G177: Providing suggested correction text(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- PDF22: Indicating when user input falls outside the required format or values in PDF forms(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
Advisory Techniques(4)
- G139: Creating a mechanism that allows users to jump to errors(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G199: Providing success feedback when data is submitted successfully(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- SCR18: Providing client-side validation and alert(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- SCR32: Providing client-side validation and adding error text via the DOM(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
Normative References
- Success Criterion 3.3.3 Error Suggestion — WCAG 2.2(opens in a new tab)The normative requirement text.
- Understanding Error Suggestion — W3C(opens in a new tab)Official guidance on intent, examples, and techniques.