A toggle is a switch that can be in either one of two states: on or off. When it comes to designing web pages, toggles are a great way to help users update preferences and settings. When used properly, they are easy for users to understand and provide a consistent, clean appearance. However, when they are used incorrectly, toggles can do more harm than good.
The word toggle was first used in the 18th century to describe a pin or rod passed transversely through an eye or loop in a chain, or a rope, as a temporary fastener. It can also be applied to a switch that allows you to shift between different modes of operation, such as video chat and regular screen sharing on a computer. In UI design, toggles are typically displayed as buttons with a small icon representing the toggle state (e.g., on or off). The name is derived from the action of toggling between the various modes.
Toggles are best suited for adjusting system settings and preferences (e.g., Airplane Mode ON or OFF). They are often preferred over radio buttons because they take up less screen real estate and they have a clear default state. Toggles are also the right control to use when a user must choose only between two options.
In continuous development practices, feature toggles are a great tool to allow teams to experiment with new functionality and validate it with a subset of the user base before a full rollout. They can act as circuit breakers in a complex piece of code and reduce the risk that a new feature will be unpopular or difficult to support.
Feature Toggles can be confusing to users when used inappropriately, and it’s important that developers always give careful thought to how they are implemented. Toggle switches should be clearly labeled to make it obvious what the effect of switching it to its on or off position will be. It is important to avoid using vague language, as it can lead to confusion. Ideally, the labels should also be positioned next to the toggle’s icon so that the user can get an immediate visual cue.
The Content Toggle Item is a simple plugin that lets you turn standard ordered (
