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Accessible form error summaries: Examples and Testing

Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated

What to build

An error summary gives users a compact route to all detected problems after submission. Name the failed action, link each message to its field and preserve the person's entries so correction does not require starting over.

A practical example

A grant form reports two missing items at the top. Each summary link names the field and its required correction; following the link takes focus to that field, where the same error is available.

Try the example

Use Tab and your keyboard controls, then compare the behavior with the checks below. This is an isolated learning example; test the complete pattern in your own product and assistive technology setup.

How to check it

  1. Submit a form with several known errors and inspect the summary's wording and placement.
  2. Follow each error link with a keyboard and verify its focus destination.
  3. Correct the errors, resubmit and check that stale messages and invalid states are removed.

What can be missed

Do not move focus on every keystroke. Focus management after a requested submission can be appropriate, while inline changes usually need less intrusive feedback.

Markup and state contract

This concise markup illustrates names, relationships or state. Custom controls also need the keyboard interaction and state updates described in the checks and primary source; this snippet is not a complete component.

<section tabindex="-1" aria-labelledby="errors-title">
  <h2 id="errors-title">Check two fields before continuing</h2>
  <ul><li><a href="#email">Email address: enter a valid address</a></li><li><a href="#name">Full name: enter your name</a></li></ul>
</section>

Record your test

Use this worksheet to record what you actually checked. Notes stay on this device when you choose Save; they are not sent to us. Avoid personal or confidential information on shared devices.

These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.

Primary sources and scope

This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.