Context Help
Use context help to briefly explain how a functionality works if it is not clear from the UI or the application behavior. A full description of the functionality should be provided in product web help.
Context help can be shown as an inline help text, in a help tooltip, and in an empty state.
Inline help text
Use an inline help text in settings dialogs that are not constrained by space and are not frequently used. Since settings are rarely changed, users may forget their purpose, so displaying the information immediately makes sense.
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Tooltip
Use a tooltip:
If the space is not enough for showing the inline help text.
In frequently used dialogs, tool windows, or popups. The more often a person uses an interface, the more likely they are to remember what each option does.
For icons or other controls that do not have a label.
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Empty state
Fill in empty states of tool windows, tables, trees, and other containers with:
a reason why the data is missing
an action that can fix it
a link to a corresponding article in the web help.
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When to use
Below you will find rules for tooltips and inline texts.
![]() | Explain complex behavior that a short action or a setting name cannot convey clearly. |
![]() | Provide input format requirements and examples. |
![]() | Suggest alternative ways. |
![]() | Warn about possible issues. |
![]() | Explain limitations. |
![]() | Provide quick navigation to related settings. |
![]() | Explain IDE-specific entities. |
When not to use
Do not explain UI
Do not use context help to explain how the user interface works. If you need to explain that, consider redesigning the UI.
Correct ![]() | Incorrect ![]() |
Do not explain common actions
Do not explain common actions and entities. Show a regular tooltip with an action name and shortcut in this case.
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Do not clutter UI with context help
Do not explain each option. Too many help icons or too much inline text make a dialog cluttered and harder to navigate visually. If all options need to be explained, consider rewriting the labels to make them clearer.
Correct ![]() | Incorrect ![]() |
How to use
See Inline help text, Tooltip, and Empty State.