Content style guide

Feedback messages

The application’s response when the user is interacting with it. The majority of create, read, update, delete (CRUD) actions will result in feedback messaging.

Note: See the help users to recover from errors pattern for guidance on when to consider adding instruction to call the VA.gov help desk or other “next-step” call to action.

Task completion success/failure

Scenario	Message title	Message content	Actions	Component	State	Location
Form save in progress success (inline)	We’ve saved the information you’ve entered so far		N/A	Alert box	Success alert	Below affected component
Form save in progress success (exit page)	We’ve saved your in-progress application	You’ll need to finish the application and click “Submit” to apply for this benefit. Continue applying now, or come back later to finish.	Continue your application	Alert box	Success alert	Below page title
Form save in progress success (inline)	We’re saving your new mobile phone number	We’ll show it here once it’s saved.	N/A	Alert box	Success alert	Below affected component
Form save in progress failure (inline)	Your form didn’t save	Please try again.	N/A	Alert box	Error alert	Below affected component
Form general error	We need you to start over with this application	Something’s not working quite right. We’re sorry to make extra work for you, but please try applying again in a few minutes.	Start over	Alert box	Error alert	Replace content below page title
Form submission success	We’ve received your application		N/A	Alert box	Error alert	Below page title
Form submission failure, can save in progress	Please save this application and try again	We’re sorry. Your application didn’t go through. We’re working to fix the problem, but it may take us a while. Please save your application, and try again tomorrow.	Save your application	Alert box	Error alert	Above page title
Form submission failure, unable to save in progress	Please start over with this application	We’re sorry. Your application didn’t go through, and you’ll need to start over. We suggest you wait a day while we fix this problem.	N/A	Alert box	Error alert	Above page title
Required form field is empty	N/A	Please enter your [required information].	N/A	Inline	Error alert	N/A
Form field entry is not valid	N/A	Please enter a valid [address/email address/phone number/city/state].	N/A	Inline	Error alert	N/A
File upload success	Your file has been uploaded		Dismissible	Alert box	Success alert	Above page title
File upload failure	We couldn’t upload your file	Please try again.	Dismissible	Alert box	Error alert	Above page title
File download success	We downloaded your file		Dismissible	Alert box	Success alert	Above page title
File download failure	We couldn’t download your file	Please try again.	Dismissible	Alert box	Error alert	Above page title
Message sent	We sent your message		Dismissible	Alert	Success	Above page title
Message failed to send	Your message didn’t go through	Please try again.	Dismissible	Alert box	Error alert	Above page title
Creation success	We created your file		Dismissible	Alert	Success	Above page title
Creation failure	We couldn’t create your file	Please try again.	Dismissible	Alert box	Error alert	Above page title
Deletion success	We’ve deleted your file		Dismissible	Alert box	Success alert	Above page title
Deletion failure	We couldn’t delete your file	Please try again.	Dismissible	Alert box	Error alert	Above page title
Update success	We updated your file		Dismissible	Alert box	Success alert	Above page title
Update failure	We couldn’t update your file	Please try again.	Dismissible	Alert box	Error alert	Above page title