The on-screen guidance feature in Applaud lets you add short, contextual help text above a list block. This guidance helps users understand what they are looking at, how to interact with the list, or what to do if no items appear.
On-screen guidance is especially useful in HR systems where users may be searching employee directories, viewing policy documents, or checking leave requests. Well-written guidance reduces confusion, speeds up navigation, and creates a more supportive user experience.
How on-screen guidance works
- Preamble: Appears above the list to give users immediate context.
- No items text: Displays when no records match the list filters, or the user does not have permission to view items.
For example:
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Directory list with guidance — “Select each user to open their profile page.”
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Empty state message — “There are no items that meet your filter criteria.”
Best practices for on-screen guidance
Use the following best practices to make your on-screen guidance clear, accessible, and HR-focused:
| Best practice | Why it matters | HR example |
|---|---|---|
| Be brief and clear | Users scan quickly; keep text short and simple. | “Select a user to view their profile.” |
| Provide context | Explain the purpose, not just the action. | “Results are filtered by Department: clear filters to see all employees.” |
| Position guidance near content | Place help text close to the list or filters to reduce cognitive load. | Show “There are no items matching your criteria.” directly above the empty list. |
| Keep it subtle | Avoid distracting users with large banners or overly prominent colors. | Use smaller, lighter text above the list. |
| Support accessibility | Ensure text contrast is strong and phrasing works with screen readers. | “You do not have permission to view these records.” |
| Use only when needed | Don’t clutter the UI with redundant text; focus on moments of confusion. | Show guidance only when filters hide all items. |
| Stay consistent | Reuse phrasing and style across lists for familiarity. | Always use “No items match your filter criteria” rather than varied wording. |
Examples
Here are ways you might apply on-screen guidance in HR use cases:
- Employee directory: “Search or filter to find employees by department or role.”
- Leave requests list: “This list only shows your team members’ requests.”
- Policy documents: “Use the category filters to view health, safety, or HR policies.”
- Training records: “This list shows only completed training courses. Clear filters to view all.”