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Confirmation messages

Confirmation messages prompt people to confirm actions that have significant consequences or are difficult to undo. They can also help prevent errors or unexpected results by verifying user intent before proceeding with an action.

Clear and concise confirmation messages help people feel more confident and in control of their actions within the Moodle products.

HTML modal

Basic guidelines

  • Address a single task.
  • Ask a clear, specific question.
  • Provide clear options to either confirm or cancel the action.
  • Explain the consequences of the action so people can make an informed decision.

Content

Title

The title or heading of a confirmation message should focus only on one task, and mention the specific action that the user wants to perform.

Do

Remove grade?

Don't

Confirm action?

Ask a clear, unambiguous question.

Do

Delete question?

Don't

Confirmation

Do

Send notification?

Don't

Warning

Don't include articles like 'a', 'an' or 'the', so that the question is short and easy to scan.

Description

The description should explain the consequences of the action and share additional details that enable people to make a confident decision.

Do

Delete entry?
This will delete the entry 'My first blog post'.

Don't

Delete entry?
Are you sure you want to delete the blog post?

Don't repeat information from the title.

Do

Remove account 'Barbara Gardner'?
This account and its data on the site [site name] will be removed from the app on this device.

Don't

Remove account 'Barbara Gardner'?
Are you sure you want to remove this account?

Save "Are you sure?" for actions that have very serious consequences. For example, actions that could prevent a course or activity from working properly, or deleting something that can't be retrieved from the recycle bin.

Do

Delete tool?
This tool is currently being used in at least one activity in your course. If you delete this tool, the activities that use it will no longer work. Are you sure you want to delete the tool?

Don't

Delete activity?
Are you sure you want to delete the activity?

Calls to action

Calls to action (CTAs) should be clear and simple, and offer a straightforward way out.

Do

Delete downloaded data?
Cancel | Delete

Don't

Delete downloaded data?
Cancel | Continue

Don't

Delete downloaded data?
No | Yes

Use the same verb in both the title and the confirmation button to make the content more scannable and summarise outcomes.

Do

Move selected activities?
Cancel | Move

Don't

Move selected activities?
Cancel | Continue

Don't

Delete tool?
Cancel | Remove

Avoid 'cancelling cancellations'

Do

Cancel booking?
Keep my booking | Cancel booking

Don't

Cancel subscription?
Cancel | Confirm cancellation