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Empty state

An empty state is a screen that is not yet populated with data or information. Empty states typically contain a short message and next steps for the user.

Elements

This is an example of a large, full-page empty state with all empty state elements. Other empty state variations contain the same elements and differ only in spacing and text sizes.

large empty state example with all elements
  1. Icon: The icon presents a visual component for easier recognition of the empty state’s message.
  2. Heading: The title provides a concise description of the empty state’s purpose.
  3. Body: The body provides additional information to help the user understand why the space is empty, what they can do to move forward, and how they can benefit from taking the next step.
  4. Primary button: The primary button enables the user to take either the next step or a more general action, such as returning to the home page.
  5. Secondary buttons: Secondary buttons enable the user to take alternative actions, such as accessing additional resources.

Note: Don't include toolbars or filters in a full-page empty state because the user doesn't have any items to search or filter.

Usage

PatternFly offers four empty state variations:

  • Extra small empty state: Use an extra small empty state inside cards or when there are space constraints.
  • Small empty state: Use a small empty state inside tables, wizards, or modals.
  • Large empty state: Use a large empty state as a full page.
  • Extra large empty state: Use an extra large empty state for special instances only, such as full-page success empty states or getting started empty states.

There are several common uses for empty states:

Getting started

Getting started empty states appear when features haven’t been used yet. In your empty state message, explain why the feature is beneficial to the user and provide a next step so that they can get started.

Use the extra large empty state variation for getting started empty states.

extra large empty state with welcome message

Heading: Welcome the user to the product. Keep in mind that the user might be a bit nervous, so avoid exclamation points or other writing mechanics that make your tone sound excited.

Do
Don't
Welcome to PatternFly
Welcome to PatternFly!

Body: Explain how the product or feature delivers value to the user. State what the user can do with the product instead of what the product enables them to do. This way, you give power to the user.

Do
Don't
Access all the resources you need to build scalable experiences in the open.
PatternFly enables you to build scalable experiences in the open.

Button: Give the user the ability to easily get started with the product.

Do
Don't
Get started
Exit

No results

No results empty states appear when the system doesn’t find any data to show, such as when a user’s search criteria doesn’t yield any results.

In your empty state, explain that nothing was found and give the user a next step so that they can continue their search.

Use the small empty state variation for no results empty states.

empty state showing no search results

Heading: Briefly state that no results were found.

Do
Don't
No results found
Your search did not yield any results

Body: Explain what the user should do next so that they can continue searching for what they need.

Do
Don't
Adjust your filters and try again.
We did not find any results that matched your filters.

Required configuration

Required configuration empty states appear when the user needs to configure, connect, or enable something before using a feature.

Use the large empty state variation for required configuration empty states.

empty state with system configuration information

Heading: State what needs to be done instead of what hasn’t been done yet.

Do
Don't
Configure your system
You haven’t configured your system

Body text: Explain what the user needs to do to complete the task.

Do
Don't
Start the configuration process and follow the on-screen instructions.
You cannot continue until you complete the configuration.

Button: Give the user the ability to quickly take action on the task.

Do
Don't
Start configuration process
Exit

No access

No access empty states appear when the user doesn’t have the entitlements or access permissions to view a certain feature or product area.

Use the large empty state variation for no access empty states.

empty state with information about access permissions

Heading: State what the user needs to access the page instead of what they don’t have or can’t do.

Do
Don't
Access permissions needed
Access denied

Body: Explain what action the user must take to reach their goal of accessing the page.

Do
Don't
To access PatternFly, ask your administrator to adjust your permissions.
You don’t have access to PatternFly.

Button: Give the user the ability to easily leave the page and return to the dashboard, home page, or another main area of the product.

Do
Don't
Return to dashboard
OK

Back-end failure

Back-end failure empty states appear when an error occurs that prevents the system from displaying the page content.

Use the large empty state variation for back-end failure empty states.

empty state with information about a connection error

Heading: State what the error is in plain language so that the user can easily understand what the error means.

Do
Don't
Unable to connect
Failure #121212: Connection error

Body: Explain how the user can resolve the error.

Do
Don't
Check your connection and reload the page.
We’re sorry. Something is wrong.

Success

Success empty states appear when the user successfully completes a process, such as a tutorial or a setup wizard.

Use the standard empty state variation for success empty states in a table or wizard.

empty state confirming that a project was created

Use the extra large empty state variation for success empty states in a full page.

empty state confirming registration

Heading: Confirm the action is completed. Because this is a success message, it’s OK to congratulate the user and show some excitement. Avoid extraneous terms like “success” and “successfully.”

Do
Don't
You're all set
You have successfully registered

Body: Give the user a next step so that they can continue using the product. If an additional confirmation is needed (such as a confirmation email), include that in the body, too.

Do
Don't
We emailed you a confirmation. Ready to explore other activities?
You can now exit.

Button: Give the user the ability to easily take the next step.

Do
Don't
Start exploring
Exit

Creation

Creation empty states appear when the user needs to add or create something to view associated information.

Use the large empty state variation for creation empty states.

empty state with no accounts yet

Heading: State what hasn’t been created or added yet. Avoid saying that something hasn’t been found because the user might interpret that as a system error.

Do
Don't
No service accounts yet
No service accounts have been found

Body: Explain what the user needs to do next.

Do
Don't
To get started, create a service account.
You have not created any service accounts.

Button: Give the user the ability to easily take the next step.

Do
Don't
Create service account
Return to home page

Secondary button: Give the user the ability to access additional resources that can help them through the creation process, such as a tour.

You can also use the extra small empty state variation inside of a card to present the user with another way to add a new card to their view. Place the empty state card where a new card would be added, such as the first (or last) card in the view. Be sure to also include a primary button in the toolbar so that the user can still perform the action even if the empty state is out of view.

empty state inside of a card

Visual design

Icons and colors can help enhance users’ visual understanding of empty state messaging.

Icons

To maintain consistency, specific icons are mapped to specific empty state scenarios.

Here is when you should use each icon:

Type
Color
Icon
Usage
First use or get started
Gray (#8A8D90)
fa-rocket
Use in getting started empty states. You can replace this icon if you already have an application-specific graphic that you want to use instead.
Search
Gray (#8A8D90)
fa-search
Use when there is no data to show.
Configuration
Gray (#8A8D90)
fa-wrench
Use when configuration is required or there is a configuration issue.
No access
Gray (#8A8D90)
fa-lock
Use when the user is not entitled or the user role does not have access.
Error
Red (#C9190B)
fa-exclamation-circle
Use when there is an inability to get data, there is backend failure, or an error has occurred.
Success
Green (#486b00)
fa-check-circle
Use to indicate that a task or process has been completed successfully.
Addition or creation
Gray (#8A8D90)
fa-plus-circle
Use when something needs to be added or created.

Colors

Use color intentionally. If you’re not using a custom icon for a specific use case, an icon should be gray by default (except when it’s used as a status icon).

Content

Content varies depending on the type of empty state. For specific information on what content to use for each empty state type, see the earlier Usage section.

Regardless of empty state variation and type, all empty states should have a specific level of detail, consistent capitalization and punctuation, and an intentional voice and tone.

Level of detail

State what isn't there, and then give the user a next step. Empty states should not describe in detail how to use the page—the design should be intuitive enough without extensive written explanation.

do and don’t examples for level of detail

Capitalization and punctuation

Use sentence case in your empty states: Capitalize only the first letter of the first word in the heading, body, buttons, or links. However, be sure to capitalize the first letter in all proper nouns, product names, acronyms, and initialisms, regardless of where they appear in the heading, body, buttons, or links.

Add a period at the end of full sentences in the body, but do not add a period at the end of headings or buttons.

do and don’t examples for capitalization

Voice and tone

Pay close attention to the voice and tone in your empty state. Your voice should align with your company’s unique brand voice. Your tone, on the other hand, should adjust depending on the context—consider the user’s emotions and adjust your approach accordingly.

It’s OK to use “you” and “your,” but never assign blame to the user. Also, avoid using “please” in an empty state. It’s extraneous and can make your message sound too formal.

Use buttons and links in empty states to highlight calls to action for the user. There are multiple ways to do this.

One primary call to action

If you have one primary call to action, you can present it as a primary button or as a link in the body text.

Example: Call to action as a primary button

empty state with one primary button

Example: Call to action as a link in the body text

empty state with one hyperlink

Multiple calls to action

If your primary call to action is presented as a primary button, your secondary call to action can be presented as a secondary button beneath the primary button.

Example: Secondary call to action as a secondary button beneath the primary button empty state with two buttons

If your primary call to action is presented as a link in the body text, your secondary call to action can be presented as a secondary button beneath the body text.

Example: Secondary call to action as a secondary button beneath the body text
empty state with two hyperlinks

One secondary call to action

For a filtering or search situation, you can use a stand-alone secondary button (with nothing linked in the body).

empty state with one hyperlink

Alignment

Empty states can be a full page, or they can be included inside of other components on the page.

Full-page empty states

On a desktop, a full-page empty state should be 64px away from the top and horizontally centered with a minimum padding of 24px on all remaining sides.

full-page empty state with padding on desktop

On a mobile device, a full-page empty state should be 48px away from the top with a minimum of 16px padding on all remaining sides.

full-page empty state with padding on mobile

Empty states inside tables, cards, or wizards

Empty states inside a table, card, or wizard should always be horizontally and vertically centered on their background. Outside padding on all remaining sides should be 24px.

empty state inside card with padding
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