UI context: how to create a form with lots of data

Question

I am rewriting an application that is a data entry tool. The existing application is located in Access and consists of a form with several grids, each grid contains many columns, which requires the user to scroll horizontally to view the columns.

Current grids in the form are laid out hierarchically in the relationship between parents and children. The upper grid represents the projects, the grid below, which represents the SKU in the selected project, the grid below, which represents the season data (price, delivery information, etc.) for the SKU selected above.

I am looking for advice on good user interface design principles for such an application. How to create a form that allows the user to see all the columns for the data in the form without having to scroll?

What are good online resources for business user interface principles?

Thanks!

Answer 1

What I have found as a general rule that helps develop aesthetically pleasing user interfaces is the idea of ​​presenting only what is needed for any given task.

One approach that we can take when designing forms is to focus the user's attention on a task or function at hand, centering the controls on the horizontal axis.

Culture also plays an important role in adopting the programs we write. For example, in Western culture we read from left to right and from top to bottom. Therefore, programs targeting a Western audience should ideally follow the same design principle.

Here are some basic guidelines to help.

• use friendly words and terms in unpleasant and demanding tones: "The file was not found in the location" c: \ temp ", and not" The required file could not be found, correct the error. "
• one-color schemes that apply to the general look and fonts
• general management layout in all forms presented
• Follow the design guidelines commonly used for the platform you are targeting.

References

Here are some reference materials to help you along your own unique path.

(Windows) User Interaction Guide

(Apple) User Guidelines
Windows Design Principles
(Windows) Some design pointers

To summarize, I found that an overwhelming user with all the information that he / she might ever need to perform simple data entry is not really an ideal way; introducing functionality and tools quite progressively to do what they want is, for me, a much better alternative.

As always, put yourself in a user position: "I like what I see? Is it fun to work with it? Is the program limited? How can I make task X a lot easier?"

Answer 2

usability.gov is a great resource for user interface design. Also check out wufoo.com , which is the hosting site. Their blog is filled with interesting research on usability and form design.

Answer 3

This site can help you: http://www.jankoatwarpspeed.com/post/2009/02/18/How-to-deal-with-large-webforms.aspx . Big dots where there are tabs and legible areas.

In addition, if you do not need to show all of these columns horizontally, you can present them when the user clicks on this entry to view more detailed information. I usually prefer to display critical information, and then require that the user view more detailed information if they need specifics.

As Mike noted, “the concept of presentation is only as much as necessary for any given task”