What is a good way to indicate a field is required?

Question

I would like to tell the user that a specific text box or combo box is required. What is a neat way to do this?

I currently have a gradient red border around the text box when the text is blank or empty, but it seems a little when you show the shape and the number of fields is red. I am looking for something that is clear, but not so overwhelming for the user. Something subtle.

I would prefer the text box to indicate that the box is required, and does not mean that the label is in bold or have an asterisk. What are my options or any ideas you might have.

Answer 1

I do it like this. Mark the left border of the item with 2px red.

alt text http://ruchitsurati.net/files/input1.png

Answer 2

A recent usability study suggests taking the opposite approach and specifying which fields are optional, not mandatory. Also, try querying only what you really need to reduce the number of optional fields.

The reason is that users tend to assume that all fields are necessary anyway. They may not understand or pay attention to the asterisk, while they easily understand clearly marked optional fields.

(. 5): http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/cxblog/web_forms_design_guidelines_an_eyetracking_study/

Answer 3

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

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may work for your application.

NTN