Description

Inline inputs are components that switch between reading and editing modes on the same page.

They should be used where information needs to be quickly and frequently updated, and when it would be undesirable to change the user’s view.

Where inline inputs are used, changes are persisted every time an input is edited. There is no need for a global Save and Cancel.

Open

Types

Type	Usage	Input	Regular (Reading Mode)	Active (Editing Mode)

Type	Usage	Input	Regular (Reading Mode)	Active (Editing Mode)
Inline Text Inputs	Inline text inputs are variants of the standard Text Field and Text Area components.	Text Field	Open
		Text Area
Inline Selection Inputs	Inline selection inputs are variants of standard selection components, such as a Drop-down Menu, Date Picker, or Time Picker.	Drop-down Menu
		Date Picker

Usage & Behavior

Structure

Inline text inputs consist of:

• A label, containing either the current content or informative placeholder text.

• An input field, corresponding to the standard Text Area or Text Field component.

• Save and Cancel action buttons.

• A progress indicator, to show changes being saved.

Inline selection inputs consist of:

• A text label, containing either the current content or informative placeholder text.

• A trigger icon, to indicate that the field is interactive.

• An input field, corresponding to the standard component, such as the Date Picker or Drop-down Menu.

• A progress indicator, to show changes being saved.

Placement and Positioning

Any content below an inline text area should be pushed down the page when the field is active, so that all content is still visible. For example:

Inline selection inputs should overlay any content below when active. For example:

Default State

Inline inputs may include assistive placeholder text by default. For example:

Otherwise, any previously-entered content will be displayed. For example:

States

Interaction

Text Inputs

• When the input field is active, Save and Cancel options will be shown.

• When Save is selected:

  • a spinning progress indicator is shown,

  • the changes are applied, and

  • the input returns to the regular state.

• When Cancel is selected:

  • unapplied changes are discarded, and

  • the input returns to the regular state.

• Clicking outside of the text input field:

  • returns it to the regular state, and

  • applies any changes.

All other interactions should follow the standard Text Area or Text Field components.

Selection Inputs

• When a selection is made:

  • a spinning progress indicator is shown in place of the trigger icon,

  • the selection is applied, and

  • the input returns to the regular state.

• Clicking outside of an active input closes it.

All other interactions should follow the standard component behavior.

Validations and errors

Please refer to the Field Validation page for more information.

Transitions

Please refer to the Progress Indicator page for more information.

Best practices

Use:

• on screens where information needs to be updated frequently.

• for forms which have previously been completed, and only some fields subsequently need to be edited.

• where it would be undesirable to change the user’s view.

Don’t use:

• for critical tasks or blank forms on first creation → use the standard component version instead.

• where there’s lots of non-interactive guiding text on the same page.

Accessibility Compliance

Unless otherwise specified, see our general compliance information in Fundamentals - Accessibility.

Focus management

See the individual component pages for more information.

Design

Code