Button

Overview

A button is a clickable element that allows the user to initiate an action on the page. The label is used to communicate a call to action to the user and must tell the user what will happen when interacting with it.

When to use

Use a button to call the user to action and interact with the page. A button is mainly used to change page, but not only. It can be used to download a document or submit a form for example. A page should not have more than one primary button.

Formatting

Anatomy

The text label is the most important element of the button. It communicates the action that will be taken when the user interacts with it. In a contained button, the label is always centered. The text label of all buttons must always be sentence case.

Size

The size of the buttons can change depending on its purpose or where it is used.
Their names (below) depend on their use.

Default

Use as primary call to action for page actions.

Field

Use when buttons are paired with input fields.

Small

Use when there is not enough vertical space for the default or field-sized button.

Button with icon

To help the user understand a specific action, an icon can be added to the button, either before or after the label, depending on the need.

• Use a 20px icon within a 24px box.
• Icons must always be the same colour value as the text within a button.
• The icon refers to the meaning of the label.
• Icons are distinguished by their outline shape.

Icon before the label

The icon refers to the meaning of the label.

Icon after the label

The icon is used to indicate the nature of the interaction. For example, an external link icon indicates that the user will leave the site, etc.

Icon alone

Used for icons whose meaning is clearly known by the users (e.g.: Search), the label can be omitted.

Emphasis

It is not mandatory to use the buttons in their order of importance. A secondary button does not have to be used second and so on. It all depends on the context of the page. The most important thing is to keep a good visual hierarchy between the buttons in the pages.

A single, high-emphasis button

As general rule, a page should contain a single high-emphasis button that is clearly identifiable and stands out from all other actions on the page. The purpose of this button is to attract the user’s attention.

Multiple button emphasis

A high-emphasis button can be accompanied by a medium-emphasis or low-emphasis button for actions of lesser importance. It is however important to keep in mind that only buttons that are related to each other should be grouped together.

• Use only one primary button per button group.
• The button group can be right or left aligned.
• If possible, limit the number of buttons in the group to make it easier to identify the functions.

If a layout requires several actions, like for filters, don't hesitate to use low-emphasis buttons like tertiary buttons or ghost buttons.

Alignment

Refers to the position of the button on the page, window or container. There are three types of alignment: left, center and right. The alignment can vary, depending on the position on the page, where it is used, and several other factors.

More often than not, it is the left alignment that is favored. Why is this so? Because it is the classic reading direction of the user and it is better to place the button where you know you will get the user's attention. On the other hand, in a modal, or when the user goes through several steps, for example, the button will traditionally be aligned to the bottom right. It is also possible for the button to be right-aligned in some components.

Sometimes, a button can take the whole width of the container, and this often happens in the case of a mobile.

In editorial pages or with a lot of content

The buttons are aligned to the left of the page (reading direction). This is also the case for form buttons that are inserted in content pages.

In modals or where a user progresses through a series of steps

The buttons are aligned to the right, with the main action (“Next”, “Confirm”, “Submit”, etc.) located furthest to the right.

In a full width page (without left menu)

The button should follow the alignment of the content that precedes it. For example, if the title and the front content are aligned centered, the button should follow the same alignment.

Button group

A button group refers to several buttons associated together and can be a very useful way to align buttons that are related to each other. Logically, a button group should be used according to the rules of usage and importance. Keep in mind that too many buttons can overwhelm and confuse a user, so it should be avoided.

It is not necessary to use the buttons in their order of importance. For example, instead of using a secondary button with a primary button, it is recommended to use a tertiary button with a primary button or a ghost button instead, simply because the visual weight of the secondary button is too strong with a primary button.

Some basic rules

• Use only one primary button per button group.
• The primary button can be combined with one (or more) secondary or tertiary buttons.
• Preferably, do not use too many secondary buttons in a group. Instead, use the tertiary or ghost button format, both of which are less distracting.
• The button group can be right or left aligned.
• If possible, limit the number of buttons in the group, to make it easier to identify the functions.

Text labels

The button label is, without a doubt, the most important element of the button. It is used to communicate to the user the action that will be performed when interacting with the button. The wording of the button must be clear and predictable.

A button should always be clear, concise and give enough context. It is recommended to use the verb + noun/adverb formula. However, there may be exceptions, as in the case of common and simple actions, like “Done”, “Cancel”, “Add” or “Delete”.

A button should never be longer than 37 characters. However, there is an exception to this rule in situations where the length of the button could cause problems with a compact UI, such as on mobile. The button should never have a negative impact on the visual rendering. But otherwise, the verb + noun/adverb formula remains the best practice.