Messaging Templates

Last Updated 15-Mar-2004

General Description

Standard Message Types

There are five BLAF application standard message types:

Allowed Messaging Elements

NOTE: Inline messages and message pages are not displayed in secondary browser windows.

Guideline Attributes

Spec Version # - 3.1
Spec Contributors - Betsy Beier, Craig Louis
UI Models - all models
Example Products - all products
Related Guidelines - Icons, Language in UI, Help Methods, Message Box, Inline Messaging and Tips, Processing Templates, and Messaging Flows

Interaction and Usage Specifications

General Principles

Message Layout Types:

Below is an outline of available message layout types. Click the links to jump to the rules and heuristic guidance for each type.

General Layout:

Message Template Types and Usage


Message templates are defined by their place in application flow and message type. The following rules and heuristic guidelines relate to how the template is used in application flow. Refer to the Messaging Flows guideline for flow examples and specifications.

Inline Message Box, Inline Message Icon and Text

Inline Message Box Only

Inline Message Text with Icon - NO Message Box

Message Page

Javascript Alert Window


Alert Window Title Bar

Error Type Syntax Examples
Single Type {Error Type} Format Error
Missing Required Field
Multiple Types {Error Type} and {Error Type} Format Error and Missing Required Field



Alert Window Body

Error Type Syntax Examples
Format Error Correct the Following:
{Field Label}- "{invalid input string}" is not a valid format.
Correct the Following:
Need-By Date - "May 8" is not a valid format.
Missing Required Field Correct the Following:
{Field Label} - Must not be blank.
Correct the Following:
Deliver-To Location - Must not be blank.
Multiple Types/Errors Correct the Following:
{Error Message}
{Error Message}
{Error Message}
{Continue listing until all errors listed.}
Correct the Following:
Need-By Date - "May 8" is not a valid format.
Deliver-To Location - Must not be blank.
Receiving Contact - Must not be blank.
Notes: {Error Message} variable in Multiple Types syntax, above, represents messages defined by the Syntax statements in Format Error and Missing Required Field rows. Multiple messages should be placed on separate rows, as shown above.


Multiple Message Types on Page

This is not really a layout template type, but rather the combination of layout methods. Typically, the only layout types that handle multiple messages include Inline Message Box, Inline Icon and Text, and Message Page.

Confirmation Messaging Details

The following table may be used to decide when to use Confirmation Messages, and which message layout type to employ.

Answer the following question posed at the top of the table, Yes or No, and read across the appropriate answer rows to see available layout type options, and when to use them.


Is the change resulting from the user action clearly visible on the page?

  Options: Use If:
If Yes: No confirmation message needed. The changed status or data is easy to see and notice. n/a
If No: Confirmation Message Box on page where update was made. User wants to print in context of changed item. Item is typically in view-only mode.

Information on page is dense, and user wants to continue to update.

Confirmation Message Box on page where user initially launched action/function. User wants to continue with tasks on page where action was launched.
Full Confirmation Message Page Master page is very dense. Change in UI may be difficult to see.

After completing task user may want to branch somewhere else.

Very clear confirmation is needed, separated from context.

Visual Specifications


Error Messaging Options in Primary Window

Message "Box," Inline Icons, Inline Message Text - Error


Message Alone on New Page - Error


Warning Messaging Options in Primary Window

Message "Box," Inline Icons, Inline Message Text - Warning


Message Alone on New Page - Warning


Message Alone on New Page - Warning with Level 3/Side Navigation


Information Messaging Options in Primary Window

Message "Box," Inline Icons, Inline Message Text - Information
NOTE: Not Typical


Inline Icons and Inline Message Text - Information


Message Alone on New Page - Information


Confirmation Messaging Options in Primary Window

Message "Box" - Confirmation


Message Alone on New Page - Confirmation


NOTE: NOTE: Page level buttons may be used instead of Return to X" when a confirmation page allows the user to navigate to different pages.

Javascript Alert Messaging Options

NOTE: The Javascript Alert Window method is used ONLY for field formatting and blank required field errors. Javascript Alert - Single Error - Format


Javascript Alert - Single Error - Missing Required Field


Javascript Alert - Multiple Errors - Format and Missing Required Fields

Open/Closed Issues