5 <a class="notice-developers" href="{@docRoot}guide/topics/ui/controls/button.html">
7 <h3>Developer Docs</h3>
12 <p itemprop="description">A button consists of text and/or an image that clearly communicates what action
13 will occur when the user touches it. A button can have an image, text, or both.
16 <div class="layout-content-row" style="margin-top:22px">
17 <div class="layout-content-col span-3">
18 <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/icon_magnifying_glass.png" style="height:64px;padding:20px 0 0 40px;">
20 <div class="layout-content-col span-3">
21 <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/buttons_text.png" style="height:94px;">
23 <div class="layout-content-col span-7">
24 <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/buttons_image_and_text.png" style="height:94px;">
28 <div class="layout-content-row" style="margin-top:0;">
29 <div class="layout-content-col span-3">
30 <p>An image alone works best when the action can be represented by a symbol that's well understood.</p>
32 <div class="layout-content-col span-3">
33 <p>Text alone is most appropriate for actions that would be difficult to
34 represent visually, or are critical to convey in words to avoid any ambiguity.</p>
36 <div class="layout-content-col span-7">
38 Both an icon and text is most appropriate when they complement each other:
39 each carrying its own bit of information, but together making a larger whole.
43 For example, in a birthday reminder card in Google Now, the button's text
44 describes the action while its image indicates that the action will be done
50 <h3>What about button backgrounds?</h3>
52 <div class="layout-content-row">
53 <div class="layout-content-col span-6">
54 <p>For <strong>image-only</strong> buttons, a background isn't necessary because
55 users are accustomed to interacting with objects.</p>
57 <div class="layout-content-row" style="margin-left:72px">
58 <div class="layout-content-col span-2">
59 <div class="do-dont-label bad emulate-content-left-padding" style="width:30px">Don't</div>
60 <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/buttons_image_bg_dont.png" style="padding-left:14px;">
62 <div class="layout-content-col span-2" style="width:29px;margin-left:10px;">
63 <div class="do-dont-label good"><strong>Do</strong></div>
64 <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/icon_alarm.png" style="width:31px;padding-top:7px;">
69 <div class="layout-content-col span-7">
71 For buttons <strong>with text</strong>, a background is also usually
72 unnecessary. To invite users to touch, phrase it as a clear action (e.g.
73 "Start", "Sign in") and use different color and formatting than the screen's
78 Use buttons with backgrounds sparingly. Because they have a heavy appearance,
79 they work best when there's only one or two of them on the screen. They're
84 <li>A call to action you really want users to pursue (e.g. "Sign up")</li>
85 <li>A key decision point (e.g. "Accept" / "Decline")</li>
86 <li>When the user is about to commit a significant action (e.g. "Erase
87 everything", "Buy now")</li>