Crowded Page Design
If a page is too crowded to follow the entire layout and spacing standards, consider putting the data on two pages. Too much data squeezed together on a page reduces usability and increases eyestrain.
However, if the functionality requires implementation as a single page, here are some techniques to conserve space:
- Put level 0 fields into the key group box, rather than putting them in a separate level 0 group box.
- Reduce the vertical spacing between frames from two to one grid units (GU). Exception: the spacing around the key group box should always be two GU. Reduce the vertical space at the bottom of the page from two to one GU.
- Replace groups of radio buttons with drop-down lists.
- Group label text together for multiple fields, separated by a slash. Do not put a slash character (or any other character) between the edit boxes.
- Reduce the amount of extra label space left for international translations.
- Put long field labels above the fields, rather than to the left of them.
- Turn off the prompt button that appears to the right of edit boxes that have prompt tables.
- Turn off the prompt button that appears to the right of date fields.
- Change the display length of fields to be smaller than the actual field length.
- If there is no space for a group box, use a horizontal line to separate regions of the page.