Problem

A data point in a dense array, or within a graphical representation of a set of information, may be selected to show additional information.

Solution

Graphical information displays -- such as maps and graphs -- are often the clearest, most information-dense way of displaying a set of data. However, conventional methods of drilling in deeper such as the Link or Button are unsuitable for these items.

A special type of widget is used instead, exemplified by the "pinpoint." An iconic element points to the

OR: A little thing that indicates, and clicking gives you a little more data, which may well NOT be in the little icon, hence it's not just an Icon (which see) and is a different item.

This is not a tooltip. Deliberate action needed to reveal the additional info, or always there. tooltips are transient, initiated by hover or automatically presented when the system determines the user needs help -- such as first time, or a change in the system since last visit (put these notes over there when done here). The info in a tooltip is also a helpful sort of label or content add on. It is not content itself which it should be in an annotation.

Variations

Fixed Label - all the time (gmaps desktop) ... label is always attached to pinpoint

Reveal label - in place (gmaps as I have it now) ... pinpoint on load, becomes label when selected (or hovered), selection of THAT does something else usually (else, should be a toggle and un-reveal the label).

Banner - somewhere else (strip off to the side, GPS60) - Also, can be options for the pinpoint, exactly as a reveal menu strip (which see). This latter case especially may be used in conjunction with a reveal label, or with either other label type, and be the action when selected.

ALSO see the eReader project where the highlight can be selected and show more info (not a Tooltip, though, as that is limited, read only, etc.) -- HUH??? NEED TO SEE THIS...

Interaction Details

When available, hover or click to see the revealed label. Over...

Click to see the details... or if you revealed a label, click the label to see more details (SEE the other page!) -- When the label is presented, don't have it have links. For labels attached to the pinpoint, there are no subsidiary actions; click the label/pinpoint to see more details. Labels that appear in a banner may have multiple actions, of any sort desired (button, link, icons, etc)

When an expanded label, it has to get out of the way of other actions you might request. If the user clicks somewhere else, especially somewhere adjacent to the label, make it disappear and become a pinpoint only...

Presentation Details

Must clearly point at the location referenced. make clear its not part of the image, so add shadows, and use transitions to mike it appear...

Label should never exceed the space available. we ellipsis, etc. Avoid wrapping to a second line. Multiple lines ore okay (try not to exceed 2) but each line should have its own info.

Can have icons & so on w/ the text, but only allow one select item. No links (underlines), buttons, etc. If needed, to clarify the click action, a false button (or link) can be added to the area, as it might be used in a banner ad,

Antipatterns

Examples