Technology Quote by Jeff Johnson
““Noneditable data should never be displayed in a control that looks editable or operable. Checkboxes, radio buttons, menus, sliders, and the like should never be used for noneditable data because they look operable. Even if they are inactive (grayed), they look like they can somehow be made active, and users will waste time trying to do so.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Designing Interfaces, Jeff Johnson, 2002
Noneditable data must not be shown with controls that suggest interactivity, to avoid user confusion and wasted effort.
In simple terms: Don’t make static data look clickable.
Key Takeaway
Design clear, non‑interactive displays for read‑only information.
Themes
us
clarity
usability
Mood
confusion
frustration
Type
design guideline
usability tip
When to use this quote
- Web forms
- software settings
- mobile apps
- dashboard displays
Key Concepts
Human‑Computer Interaction
affordance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can visual design signal non‑interactivity clearly?
- What alternatives convey static information effectively?
A Different Perspective
If users can’t tell a control is disabled, they may still try to interact, causing frustration.
