#7004 closed enhancement (wontfix)

Opened February 17, 2011 01:52AM UTC

Closed February 17, 2011 01:56AM UTC

Last modified February 17, 2011 02:04AM UTC

Add Type-Ahead function to autocomplete

Reported by: texinwien Owned by:
Priority: minor Milestone: 1.9.0
Component: ui.autocomplete Version: 1.8.9
Keywords: Cc:
Blocked by: Blocking:
Description

Currently, a user must either use his arrow keys or his mouse to select an item from the drop-down list.

This makes for poor usability. Type-ahead functionality would allow the user to stop typing as soon as he'd entered the minimum number characters to have the choice he wants to select selected, without having to use his mouse or arrow keys.

Attachments (0)
Change History (2)

Changed February 17, 2011 01:56AM UTC by scottgonzalez comment:1

resolution: → wontfix
status: new → closed

We don't consider this poor usability. The autocomplete widget is based very heavily on Firefox's awesome bar which does not include type-ahead functionality.

Changed February 17, 2011 02:04AM UTC by texinwien comment:2

_comment0: No problem. I disagree with you, but that's how it works some times. \ \ I'd argue that FireFox's awesome bar plays a different role than an autocomplete that's used in a standard form. \ \ Good usability, on a standard form that has multiple fields for a user to fill out, would include an option to make a selection without having to resort to using the mouse or arrow keys. \ \ Depending on your keyboard layout, you'll have to move your fingers from the 'home' typing position in order to use the arrow keys (or even worse, move your hand to your mouse or trackpad) in order to make a selection. \ \ I'm surprised you consider that good usability. → 1297908277050060
_comment1: I'd argue that FireFox's awesome bar plays a different role than an autocomplete that's used in a standard form. \ \ Good usability, on a standard form that has multiple fields for a user to fill out, would include an option to make a selection without having to resort to using the mouse or arrow keys. \ \ Depending on your keyboard layout, you'll have to move your fingers from the 'home' typing position in order to use the arrow keys (or even worse, move your hand to your mouse or trackpad) in order to make a selection. \ \ I'm surprised you consider that good usability. → 1297909568645326

Amending my reply - I've gone through your collection of extensions, and those'll do the trick.

I still disagree that the default behavior = good usability if you're using the control on a form with multiple fields.

Thanks for the extensions and the tip!