Text area
<gcds-textarea>

Also called: text box.

A text area is a space to enter long-form information in response to a question or instruction.

• GitHub
• Figma

Text area anatomy

1. The text area label states the information a person should enter in the field. Label text is left aligned and in sentence case (only the initial letter is capitalized).
2. The hint text communicates specific requirements for each text area to support task success.
3. The field is the container a person interacts with to provide their response.

Design and accessibility for text areas

Write a short, specific, unique text area label

• Ask only for the information you need using as few words as possible. Phrasing as a question can make a label unnecessarily long.
• Choose unique labels for each text area and input within a page. A person browsing fields will hear the label text in rapid succession without cues to tell which label is for which context.
• Avoid using technical jargon, like "subject email address" or "account ID". Instead be specific and personal, "full name", "child’s age".
• Avoid using colloquialisms and common verb phrases that are unfamiliar to non-fluent speakers.
• Explain any term that may not be clear. For example, "Bio (tell us a bit about your background).

Support task success for text areas with hint text

• Add hint text to help a person filling in a text area to provide a complete value.
• Write hint text to be instructional, brief, and specific.

Write error messages for required text areas

• Use error messages to address missing and invalid entries.
• Write an error message for all required inputs. If a field is optional, avoid using an error message.
• Avoid blaming the person using the product. Instead, tell them exactly what to do to move forward.