SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
01-julij-2012
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN ISO 9241-17:2001
(UJRQRPLMDPHGVHERMQHJDYSOLYDþORYHNVLVWHPGHO.RPXQLNDFLMDSUHNR
REUD]FDPDVNH,62
Ergonomics of human-system interaction - Part 143: Forms (ISO 9241-143:2012)
Ergonomie der Mensch-System-Interaktion - Teil 143: Formulardialoge (ISO 9241-
143:2012)
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système - Partie 143: Formulaires (ISO 9241-
143:2012)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 9241-143:2012
ICS:
13.180 Ergonomija Ergonomics
35.180 Terminalska in druga IT Terminal and other
periferna oprema IT peripheral equipment
SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012

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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012


EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 9241-143

NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
March 2012
ICS 35.180; 13.180 Supersedes EN ISO 9241-17:1998
English Version
Ergonomics of human-system interaction - Part 143: Forms (ISO
9241-143:2012)
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système - Partie 143: Ergonomie der Mensch-System-Interaktion - Teil 143:
Formulaires (ISO 9241-143:2012) Formulardialoge (ISO 9241-143:2012)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 29 February 2012.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.





EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 9241-143:2012: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
EN ISO 9241-143:2012 (E)
Contents Page
Foreword .3
2

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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
EN ISO 9241-143:2012 (E)
Foreword
This document (EN ISO 9241-143:2012) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159
"Ergonomics" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 122 “Ergonomics” the secretariat of which is
held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by September 2012, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by September 2012.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 9241-17:1998.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 9241-143:2012 has been approved by CEN as a EN ISO 9241-143:2012 without any
modification.

3

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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012

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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 9241-143
First edition
2012-03-01


Ergonomics of human-system
interaction —
Part 143:
Forms
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système —
Partie 143: Formulaires




Reference number
ISO 9241-143:2012(E)
©
ISO 2012

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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
ISO 9241-143:2012(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT


©  ISO 2012
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland

ii © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
ISO 9241-143:2012(E)
Contents Page
Foreword . v
Introduction . vii
1  Scope . 1
2  Normative references . 1
3  Terms and definitions . 2
4  Forms . 6
4.1  Selection . 6
4.2  General requirements and recommendations . 6
5  Information presentation . 9
5.1  General . 9
5.2  Layout . 9
5.3  Names and labels . 10
5.4  Visual cues in fields and forms elements . 13
6  Interaction . 15
6.1  Navigation . 15
6.2  Navigation by tab keys and scrolling . 16
6.3  Input focus and cursors . 17
6.4  Input . 21
6.5  User control . 22
6.6  Feedback . 24
6.7  Access to forms and dialogue boxes . 25
6.8  Default values . 27
6.9  Default actions for forms elements . 28
7  Validation . 30
7.1  Single-field validation . 30
7.2  Multiple-field validation . 30
8  Choice of form elements. 30
8.1  Accessibility of form elements . 30
8.2  Choice considerations . 30
8.3  Push buttons . 31
8.4  Toggle buttons . 31
8.5  Text entry fields . 31
8.6  Radio buttons . 32
8.7  Check boxes . 32
8.8  Stepper buttons . 33
8.9  Single-selection list boxes . 34
8.10  Multiple-selection list boxes . 34
8.11  Pop-up/drop-down list . 35
8.12  Combination boxes . 36
8.13  Single-selection hierarchical lists . 37
8.14  Multiple-selection hierarchical lists . 38
8.15  Analogue form elements (slider, rotary dials and equivalents) . 38
8.16  Tabbed form elements . 39
9  Form element design . 39
9.1  Alphanumeric text entry . 39
9.2  Choice . 41
9.3  List-based elements for choice . 42
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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
ISO 9241-143:2012(E)
9.4  Tabs .46
9.5  Scroll bars .48
9.6  Push buttons and tool palettes .50
10  Conformance .52
Annex A (informative) Overview of the ISO 9241 series .53
Annex B (informative) Checklist for applying this part of ISO 9241 .54
Bibliography .94

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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
ISO 9241-143:2012(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 9241-143 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 4,
Ergonomics of human-system interaction.
This first edition of ISO 9241-143 cancels and replaces ISO 9241-17:1998, of which it constitutes a technical
revision.
ISO 9241 consists of the following parts, under the general title Ergonomic requirements for office work with
visual display terminals (VDTs):
 Part 1: General introduction
 Part 2: Guidance on task requirements
 Part 4: Keyboard requirements
 Part 5: Workstation layout and postural requirements
 Part 6: Guidance on the work environment
 Part 9: Requirements for non-keyboard input devices
 Part 11: Guidance on usability
 Part 12: Presentation of information
 Part 13: User guidance
 Part 14: Menu dialogues
 Part 15: Command dialogues
 Part 16: Direct manipulation dialogues
 Part 17: Form filling dialogues
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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
ISO 9241-143:2012(E)
ISO 9241 also consists of the following parts, under the general title Ergonomics of human-system interaction:
 Part 20: Accessibility guidelines for information/communication technology (ICT) equipment and services
 Part 100: Introduction to standards related to software ergonomics [Technical Report]
 Part 110: Dialogue principles
 Part 129: Guidance on software individualization
 Part 143: Forms
 Part 151: Guidance on World Wide Web user interfaces
 Part 154: Interactive voice response (IVR) applications
 Part 171: Guidance on software accessibility
 Part 210: Human-centred design for interactive systems
 Part 300: Introduction to electronic visual display requirements
 Part 302: Terminology for electronic visual displays
 Part 303: Requirements for electronic visual displays
 Part 304: User performance test methods for electronic visual displays
 Part 305: Optical laboratory test methods for electronic visual displays
 Part 306: Field assessment methods for electronic visual displays
 Part 307: Analysis and compliance test methods for electronic visual displays
 Part 308: Surface-conduction electron-emitter displays (SED) [Technical Report]
 Part 309: Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays [Technical Report]
 Part 310: Visibility, aesthetics and ergonomics of pixel defects [Technical Report]
 Part 331: Optical characteristics of autostereoscopic displays [Technical Report]
 Part 391: Requirements, analysis and compliance test methods for the reduction of photosensitive
seizures
 Part 400: Principles and requirements for physical input devices
 Part 410: Design criteria for physical input devices
 Part 411: Evaluation methods for the design of physical input devices [Technical Specification]
 Part 420: Selection of physical input devices
 Part 910: Framework for tactile and haptic interaction
 Part 920: Guidance on tactile and haptic interactions
User-interface elements, human-centred design and evaluation methods, ergonomic requirements for the
reduction of visual fatigue from stereoscopic images, and the evaluation of tactile and haptic interactions are
to form the subjects of future parts 161, 230, 392 and 940.

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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
ISO 9241-143:2012(E)
Introduction
This part of ISO 9241 is concerned with the ergonomic design of forms.
Forms, including dialogue boxes, are appropriate for data entry tasks requiring input or modification of multiple
data items. Forms are used in various circumstances, including
 filling forms, such as income tax forms, registration (school, motor vehicle), and service order completion,
 entering information received over the telephone,
 interactively populating data in an application, such as database updates, consumer profiles and
e-commerce transactions,
 specifying the application options and parameters (complex data retrieval requests, personalisation,
system configurations settings), and
 responding to a mediate request for system information (e.g. using a dialogue box).
Forms can vary in content and complexity from a simple field to complex data entry that involves multiple data
records. Forms are often based on a visual spatial metaphor but can be implemented in other modalities (e.g.
voice user interfaces over the telephone).
Form users fill-in, select entries for, modify fields and/or use, the form to retrieve information from the system.
This part of ISO 9241 is aimed at
a) user-interface designers, who will apply it during the development process,
b) the designers of printed forms which serve as source documents,
c) buyers, who will reference it during the product procurement process,
d) evaluators responsible for ensuring products meeting its requirements and recommendations,
e) the designers of development tools to be used by interface designers, and
f) end users, who will gain from the potential benefits it provides.
This part of ISO 9241 provides requirements and recommendations concerning forms. Some of these are
conditional with respect to whether they are relevant in terms of context of use variables such as particular
kinds of users, tasks, environments or technology.
Designers using this part of ISO 9241 ought to be able to determine whether they are developing an interface
that will meet those of the standard's requirements and recommendations that are applicable. Likewise,
buyers and evaluators ought to have a means of determining how a product matches the applicable
requirements and recommendations. It is not intended that every requirement and recommendation given in
this part of ISO 9241 be applied, only those that are relevant. Annex B provides an example of a procedure for
evaluating the applicability of, and conformance with, the requirements and recommendations.
The application of this part of ISO 9241 is expected to improve the overall quality of the form, but this
International Standard (like any other standard) will not guarantee the quality of the interface. Quality depends
on specific usability criteria as set by the user, buyer or other form consumer, which may include
specifications based on this part of ISO 9241.
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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
ISO 9241-143:2012(E)
ISO 9241-110 describes dialogue principles that are relevant for the design of forms. The principles provide
the designer and evaluator with additional information concerning the ergonomic rationale for the various
recommendations given in this part of ISO 9241 and, therefore, assist in making trade-offs. However, it is
often necessary to base trade-offs on other considerations as well.

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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 9241-143:2012(E)

Ergonomics of human-system interaction —
Part 143:
Forms
1 Scope
This part of ISO 9241 provides requirements and recommendations for the design and evaluation of forms —
in which the user fills-in, selects entries for, or modifies labelled fields on, a “form” or dialogue box presented
by the system. Often the system then creates or updates the data associated with the form. Form-based
entries typically are in the form of typed input (abbreviations, or full names) or selections from available option
lists.
This part of ISO 9241 is applicable to forms regardless of the modality in which they are rendered (visual,
spatial, vocal). However, much of the guidance is based on a model of visual and spatial relationship.
In addition, this part of ISO 9241 specifies the use of non-text methods for providing forms entries (e.g. list
boxes) and pertains to dialogue boxes which utilize form techniques. Guidance is provided on the selection
and design of those user-interface elements relevant to forms.
While lists used to enter forms data are covered in this part of ISO 9241, menus which are similar to lists are
outside its scope but are covered in ISO 9241-14. Neither is this part of ISO 9241 applicable to the hardware
aspects of forms.
NOTE Some of the requirements and recommendations in this part of ISO 9241 are based on Western Language
conventions. For other languages, particular requirements or recommendations might need to be modified to fit the
readability and/or text input considerations inherent in these languages.
The requirements and recommendations in this part of ISO 9241 are applicable throughout the development
process — for example, as guidance for designers during design, as a basis for heuristic evaluation, as
guidance for usability testing — and in the procurement process.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 9241-12:1998, Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs) — Part 12:
Presentation of information
ISO 9241-16, Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs) — Part 16: Direct
manipulation dialogues
ISO 9241-171:2008, Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 171: Guidance on software accessibility
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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
ISO 9241-143:2012(E)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
analogue form element
user-interface element that allows the user to select a value within a continuous range
EXAMPLE Rotary dials, slider.
3.2
check box
check button
user-interface element used to select an option that can be either {“on” or “off”} or {“yes” or “no”} with a label
(usually text) that indicates what the option is and an indicator (e.g. graphic checkmark within the individual
check box) that indicates whether or not the option is selected
NOTE 1 Check boxes in a group are independent, i.e. selecting one option does not affect the selection of other
options in that check box group. In a group of check boxes, one or many of them can be checked at the same time.
NOTE 2 Contrast with radio button (3.20).
3.3
combination box
combo box
user-interface element that combines a text field with a list box and allows the user to type input into a text
field or to select an option from a list box, which will fill in the text field
NOTE 1 A combination box typically has a label (textual or graphical) that indicates the purpose of the combination box.
NOTE 2 Contrast with list box (3.15).
3.4
default action
operation predefined for an object or set of objects (including an entire dialogue box) that will take place when
the user actuates the default action mechanism
3.5
dialogue box
subordinate form (typically presented in a separate window) that supplements and/or supports the interaction
that is taking place in the main application dialogue
NOTE If a message requires user input it could be considered a dialogue box.
3.6
dialogue
interaction between a user and an interactive system as a sequence of user actions (inputs) and system
responses (outputs) in order to achieve a goal
NOTE 1 User actions include not only entry of data but also navigational actions of the user.
NOTE 2 Dialogue refers to both the form (syntax) and the meaning (semantics) of interaction.
[ISO 9241-110:2006]
3.7
entry field
input field
field in which users can input data or edit displayed data
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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
ISO 9241-143:2012(E)
NOTE 1 Entry fields can be optional or mandatory (required) fields for the user.
NOTE 2 Content can be prepopulated with a default value relevant to the task.
NOTE 3 Data in entry fields could be numerical, textual, alphanumerical, etc.; see also text field (3.29) and
ISO 9241-12:1998, 3.5.
[ISO 9241-12:1998, 3.5.1]
3.8
field
user-interface element in which data is entered or presented
NOTE Adapted from ISO 9241-12:1998.
3.9
form
structured display of fields and other user-interface elements that the user reads, fills in, selects entries for
(e.g. through check boxes or radio buttons) or modifies
3.10
form element
user-interface element applicable to forms
3.11
form structure
organization and arrangement of information on individual and sets of forms, and the interconnections among
forms for user navigation
3.12
hierarchical list
series of lists which are structured in a hierarchical or “tree-like” manner, where the selection of the initial item
leads to another list containing additional items which can lead to another list, etc., until the desired item is
located
3.13
implicit designator
portion of an option name or control label used for keyboard selection
[ISO 9241-171:2008, 3.16]
3.14
label
short descriptive title for an entry or read-only field, table, control or other user-interface element
NOTE 1 In some applications, labels are classified as protected fields.
NOTE 2 Adapted from ISO 9241-12:1998, 3.9.
3.15
list box
user-interface element that provides a presentation (usually vertical) of items from which the user can select
only one (single selection) or more than one (multiple selection)
NOTE 1 The items in the list can be represented by a text and/or graphic label.
NOTE 2 One particular instance is the drop-down list box. When a drop-down list is inactive, it displays a single value.
When activated, it displays (drops down) a list of values, from which the user can select one. When the user selects a new
value, the user-interface element reverts to its inactive state, displaying the selected value.
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SIST EN ISO 9241-143:2012
ISO 9241-143:2012(E)
3.16
list button
user-interface element used to access a list whereby when the button is activated, a pop-up l
...