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Icon Buttons

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Lead:  Asaf Ben-Oved 

Description

Icon buttons are used where Dialog Buttons won’t comfortably fit, such as toolbars, menus, and tables.

Types

Type

Usage

Icon buttons (standard)

Performs a single action, as a normal button.

Toggle icon buttons

On click, toggles between two opposite states.

Usage & Behaviour

General guidelines

Structure

When used with a label, the icon should be placed on the left of the label. (For right-to-left languages, the icon should be on the right).

Content

As per the main Buttons information.

Internal logic

When no label is shown, a tooltip should be used.

States

State

Icon Button

Icon Button + label

Icon Menu Button

Regular

Hover

Active

Disabled

Focused

Focused + Hover

Focused + Active

Focused + Disabled

Interaction

Clicking on the button will either:

  • trigger an action, or

  • (for toggle buttons) switch between opposite states.

Toggle icon buttons 

  • Have 2 distinct, opposite actions.

  • Clicking on the icon will toggle between its states.

Example:

A locked icon, when clicked…

… turns into an unlocked icon.

Tooltips for toggle icon buttons should detail the next available action. Example:

The tooltip in the locked state would be Unlock.

Best practices

Use:

  • when the icon’s meaning is unambiguous. (Consider pairing with a Tooltip to describe the icon button’s underlying action).

Don’t use:

  • icons only, when there is enough space to add labels.

Separate groups of icons with a vertical separator |.

Design

Code

  • No labels