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Re: Is Not Having A Search Button a Failure of Labels and Instructions?

for

From: Mallory
Date: Apr 30, 2018 5:21AM

Except in IE, most forms used the enter key to run submit() anyway. In IE (until some version, I dunno which one), users needed to first explicitly focus on the submit button. This might be 6, 7 and 8. So many people have learned to hit Enter to submit a form.

I would check that it works with any AT where users aren't getting a default onscreen keyboard or have to do anything weird to specifically trigger key events (I recall a search form that listened for keystrokes and auto-showed results, meaning VO users couldn't ever get results due to how it was coded), but it sounds like it would work.

It usually takes me longer to use inputs like this because I tend to hunt around looking for "now how do I send this?" so another consideration is cognitive and those with less computer experience. I recently was in a cool Twitter conversation where someone said their child didn't really know what a save icon would be, as they'd not used anything much that required a dedicated "Save" button. The kids was mostly an iPad user and all their popular apps auto-saved.

cheers,
_mallory

On Sun, Apr 29, 2018, at 7:57 PM, glen walker wrote:
> We actually discussed this on https://web-a11y.slack.com/ recently (April
> 26). The consensus was that it's always nice to have a "submit" type
> button. If the search field has a magnifying glass or some icon, it could
> be the submit button. Just make sure that whatever design you use will
> also work with speech interfaces such as Dragon.
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 29, 2018 at 10:36 AM, Birkir R. Gunnarsson <
> <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> > What about responsive?
> > Does the "go" key on a virtual iOS or Android keyboard perform the
> > function of the enter key? I suspect so, but you might want to verify
> > it.
> >
> > When a text input field is in a <form> element with a submit button I
> > think pressing enter automatically submits the form, at least in most
> > browsers, the question is, is this standard enough so that the users
> > will think to do it.
> > That is the question around WCAG 2.1.1, is pressing enter expected
> > keyboard operation. ON a hunch, I'd say yes, though I do recommend
> > having a search button on the form, if it can be added, or at least
> > use a title or tooltip to say "press enter to serch".
> >
> >
> >
> > On 4/29/18, Jim Homme < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
> > > Hi,
> > > I have a site with a search field. Instinct says to hit the ENTER key to
> > do
> > > a search. The page has no Search button. The subject of this e-mail asks
> > the
> > > question I want to make sure of.
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > >
> > > Jim
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > =========> > > Jim Homme
> > > Product Manager
> > > Digital Accessibility
> > > Bender Consulting Services
> > > 412-787-8567
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> > accessible-technology-solutions
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