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Better communicate that changes when editing a template won't be lost on closing
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Description

When translating templates in Content Translation (T139332), an isolation mode is provided where templates are represented as a list of parameters in order to allow these to be edited. This mode can be opened and closed and the changes are persistent automatically (in the same way paragraphs are saved automatically).

Since the changes for block templates are visible only after the user closes the editing mode, users only see the effect of those changes after closing the editing mode. Before that, users may not be confident on whether the changes are preserved or discarded. Although initial research (T146419) showed that users were able to move in and out of the isolation mode, better communicating that changes are updated as they are done would be helpful. During research, users attributed the confusion to the associated meaning of "X" as a discard action.

We may want to clarify the expectations of changes being persisted/updated automatically without affecting user fluency or requiring additional confirmation steps.

Proposed solution

Initially we want to provide some additional clarity to the control by adding a "Close and update template" tooltip:

adapted-block-template-editing-mode.png (820×1 px, 147 KB)

Before considering more heavyweight clarifications we want to make sure that the changes to templates are really persisted as the model implies:

  • T151630 Avoid templates to remain open and breaking the idea of changes being persistent (which T151920 would also help with).
  • T152770 Reducing the efforts to exit the template editing mode.
  • T151030 Add more clarity to the template editing mode the first time users experience it.
  • Consider as part of T145855 to also include a loading indicator for the template (F5015912) as changes are made and persisted.

Event Timeline

Is there any easy solution for this? If we give a tooltip at the close button as "Save and close" , will it be helpful?

Is there any easy solution for this? If we give a tooltip at the close button as "Save and close" , will it be helpful?

Adding a tooltip makes sense, but I'd suggest using a different text: "Close and update template".

Similarly to what we do with auto-saving, we don't want to expose users with the internal mechanisms of data storage by making "saving" to be an explicit action. We are trying to represent a model where the user just manipulates content directly (a word in a paragraph or a parameter in a template), they are working on the final result, not a temporary copy that need to be confirmed. This excerpt from About Face 3 provides more details on the idea.

Is there any easy solution for this? If we give a tooltip at the close button as "Save and close" , will it be helpful?

Or, instead of an "X", an "Apply changes" button, as in VE.

Or simply auto-close it when navigating away (T151630). I'm not sure what will be better for users.

Another aspect is that the natural progression is to fill the params from the top to the bottom and then to continue to the next paragraph. This is inconvenient because the close button is currently at the top and moves out of the view. I repeatedly find myself continuing to the next paragraph instead of closing the template.

Another aspect is that the natural progression is to fill the params from the top to the bottom and then to continue to the next paragraph. This is inconvenient because the close button is currently at the top and moves out of the view. I repeatedly find myself continuing to the next paragraph instead of closing the template.

I created a separate ticket for this: T152770. Feel free to prioritise accordingly and/or include for any sprint.