A toggle is a switch used to quickly change between two states. Commonly seen on mobile devices as the “Airplane Mode” button, they are used to turn features on or off, and are preferred over radio buttons because of their smaller size. A toggle also has the added benefit of a default state that can be changed in code rather than requiring a user to choose an option in a dropdown menu, which saves on screen space and can reduce cognitive load.
As with all UI controls, there are many considerations when designing a toggle. The primary goal is to make it easy for users to understand the current state of the control, and the direction in which it will move once clicked. This is usually accomplished with clear labels that describe what action will occur, and in some cases by using visual cues such as movement or color to communicate the state.
Choosing the right visual signifiers for a toggle can be tricky. It’s important to consider the contrast between the switch’s state and its background, and also to evaluate cultural or societal implications of using particular colors (e.g. red for off is counterintuitive for people with color vision deficiency). It’s also important to take into account that many users use assistive technologies, which may not recognize the nuances of some visual cues.
Toggles can be a good choice for settings that are binary in nature or need to be applied immediately upon click, but should not be used for setting that aren’t or that require more than a simple on/off switch. It is often better to use a checkbox or other more complex UI component for these types of settings.
Another key consideration is how a toggle’s label should be displayed. It’s generally best to display the label above or below the toggle, not inside it. This will help to ensure that the toggle is visible to the user, even if they have their browser maximized or are in a fullscreen window.
Finally, a toggle’s name should be meaningful and clearly describe what the switch does. This is to help anyone on the team who may need to review a toggle’s code, whether it’s someone writing an error message or a developer reviewing a bug ticket. This way, the person will know that the toggle does what it’s supposed to do and why it’s there.
Ultimately, a toggle is an effective tool for controlling the flow of data within your application’s interface. However, it’s important to remember that a toggle should be managed carefully to ensure that the flow of data is safe and secure. This is especially critical when working with data that requires encryption or security controls, like credit card numbers and passwords. A toggle should never be the only mechanism for ensuring data is safe or private, and should always be paired with other mechanisms, such as data validation and verification, that can help to prevent bad or dangerous information from entering your application.
