Content style guide

Feedback messages

The application’s response when the user is interacting with it. The majority of create, read, update, delete (CRUD) actions will result in feedback messaging.

Note: See the help users to recover from errors pattern for guidance on when to consider adding instruction to call the VA.gov help desk or other “next-step” call to action.

Task completion success/failure

Scenario Message title Message content Actions Component State Location

Form save in progress success (inline) We've saved the information you've entered so far N/A Alert box Success alert Below affected component

Form save in progress success (exit page) We've saved your in-progress application You'll need to finish the application and click "Submit" to apply for this benefit. Continue applying now, or come back later to finish. Continue your application Alert box Success alert Below page title

Form save in progress success (inline) We’re saving your new mobile phone number We’ll show it here once it’s saved. N/A Alert box Success alert Below affected component

Form save in progress failure (inline) Your form didn't save Please try again. N/A Alert box Error alert Below affected component

Form general error We need you to start over with this application Something's not working quite right. We're sorry to make extra work for you, but please try applying again in a few minutes. Start over Alert box Error alert Replace content below page title

Form submission success We've received your application N/A Alert box Error alert Below page title

Form submission failure, can save in progress Please save this application and try again We're sorry. Your application didn't go through. We're working to fix the problem, but it may take us a while. Please save your application, and try again tomorrow. Save your application Alert box Error alert Above page title

Form submission failure, unable to save in progress Please start over with this application We're sorry. Your application didn't go through, and you'll need to start over. We suggest you wait a day while we fix this problem. N/A Alert box Error alert Above page title

Required form field is empty N/A Please enter your [required information]. N/A Inline Error alert N/A

Form field entry is not valid N/A Please enter a valid [address/email address/phone number/city/state]. N/A Inline Error alert N/A

File upload success Your file has been uploaded Dismissible Alert box Success alert Above page title

File upload failure We couldn't upload your file Please try again. Dismissible Alert box Error alert Above page title

File download success We downloaded your file Dismissible Alert box Success alert Above page title

File download failure We couldn't download your file Please try again. Dismissible Alert box Error alert Above page title

Message sent We sent your message N/A Dismissible Alert Success Above page title

Message failed to send Your message didn't go through Please try again. Dismissible Alert box Error alert Above page title

Creation success We created your file N/A Dismissible Alert Success Above page title

Creation failure We couldn't create your file Please try again. Dismissible Alert box Error alert Above page title

Deletion success We've deleted your file &nbps; Dismissible Alert box Success alert Above page title

Deletion failure We couldn't delete your file Please try again. Dismissible Alert box Error alert Above page title

Update success We updated your file Dismissible Alert box Success alert Above page title

Update failure We couldn't update your file Please try again. Dismissible Alert box Error alert Above page title