Workday Canvas
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Placeholder Text

Placeholder text is used in several Canvas components, including Select, Text Area, and Text Input. Placeholder text can serve 1 of 2 functions:

  1. Give users instructions. For example, in a menu, placeholder text might say, “Select an option”.
  2. Show users an example of what they can write in an empty text field. For example, in a Search text box, placeholder text might be “Search employees”.

Note: Placeholder text should be paired with form field labels; it is not a replacement for visible and accessible field labels.

Write this text in sentence case (first letter of the phrase capitalized, no period) and keep it as short as possible.

Do
  • Select an option
  • Search candidates
Don’t
  • Select An Option
  • Select the best option for your needs
  • Search Candidates

When placeholder text is used in a text box next to a field label, make sure the field label text and the placeholder text are either both singular or both plural.

Do

  • Field label: Plan Type
    Placeholder text: Choose a plan type

  • Field label: Plan Types
    Placeholder text: Choose plan types

Don’t
  • Field label: Plan Type
    Placeholder text: Choose plan types

See also: Instructional Text

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FAQ Section