Components
Date picker
Date pickers provide an intuitive interface for users to select dates from a calendar or input field. They combine text input with a visual calendar component to offer multiple ways of date selection, improving both accessibility and user experience.
Guidance
| Aspect | Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Usage | Use date pickers for date selection tasks, scheduling, filtering, and form inputs where precise date selection is required. |
| Content | Provide clear labels, placeholder text, and validation messages to guide users through date selection. |
| Behavior | Support both keyboard input and mouse interaction, with proper validation and error handling for invalid dates. |
| Selection | Support single dates, date ranges, and multiple date selection modes based on the use case requirements. |
| Accessibility | Include proper ARIA labels, keyboard navigation support, and screen reader compatibility. |
| Formats | Use consistent date formatting that matches user expectations and locale conventions. |
| Examples | Booking systems, event scheduling, report date ranges, birth date inputs, deadline selection, and calendar availability. |
Best Practices
- Input Methods: Support both direct text input and calendar selection to accommodate different user preferences.
- Selection Modes: Choose appropriate selection modes - single dates for specific events, ranges for periods, or multiple dates for flexible scheduling.
- Validation: Provide real-time validation feedback and clear error messages for invalid dates.
- Formatting: Use consistent date formatting that matches your application’s locale and user expectations.
- Constraints: Implement min/max date restrictions and disable unavailable dates when appropriate for the use case.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- Provide clear labels and placeholder text
- Support keyboard navigation and input
- Validate dates in real-time
- Use consistent date formatting
- Include proper ARIA labels
- Disable unavailable or invalid dates
- Show clear range selection feedback
Don't
- Force users to use only one input method
- Use ambiguous date formats
- Ignore accessibility requirements
- Allow invalid date selections without feedback
- Make range selection confusing or unclear
Additional Guidance
- Accessibility: Ensure proper keyboard navigation, screen reader support, and ARIA labels for all interactive elements.
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Psychological Impact:
- Familiarity: Calendar interfaces are universally recognized and reduce cognitive load.
- Visual Context: Monthly calendar views help users understand date relationships and plan accordingly.
- Flexibility: Multiple input methods and selection modes accommodate different user preferences and accessibility needs.
- Range Visualization: Clear visual feedback for date ranges helps users understand selections and make informed choices.