Form Validation

Comparison of Required Field Marking Methods

Alternative	Description	Pros ✅	Cons ❌
1️⃣ Explicit “Required” Label	Displays “(Required)” next to the label.	- Works for all users, including screen readers and color-blind users. - No need for extra ARIA attributes.	- Takes slightly more space in the UI.
*2️⃣ Asterisk () with ARIA Explanation**	Uses *``** but adds an `aria-describedby` explanation.	- Keeps UI cleaner while maintaining accessibility. - Screen readers announce “Fields marked with an asterisk are required.”	- Requires additional explanation (`aria-describedby`). - Without the extra message, asterisks alone are not accessible.
3️⃣ Required Field with Visually Hidden Text	Uses a hidden label for screen readers but remains minimal visually.	- Looks clean visually while still accessible. - Screen readers announce it as “Email Required”.	- Not visible for sighted users who rely on visual cues.
4️⃣ Required Field with an Inline Icon + Tooltip	Uses *an asterisk () inside a focusable icon** with a tooltip.	- Visually clear while keeping text minimal. - Works well when paired with a tooltip on hover or focus.	- Requires CSS for styling (ensuring asterisks are not the only indicator). - Users might not see tooltip hints if they don’t hover over the icon.
5️⃣ Required Field with `required` Attribute Only	Uses only the `required` attribute without visible markers.	- Works well for basic validation. - Screen readers will announce the field as required.	- No visible indicator for sighted users before form submission. - Errors only appear after submission, which may confuse users. - Some browsers may not enforce required fields consistently.