docs/html/design/building-blocks/buttons.jd

page.title=Buttons
page.tags="button","input"
@jd:body

<a class="notice-developers" href="{@docRoot}guide/topics/ui/controls/button.html">
  <div>
    <h3>Developer Docs</h3>
    <p>Buttons</p>
  </div>
</a>

<p>A button consists of text and/or an image that clearly communicates what action
  will occur when the user touches it. A button can have an image, text, or both.
</p>

<div class="layout-content-row" style="margin-top:22px">
  <div class="layout-content-col span-3">
    <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/icon_magnifying_glass.png" style="height:64px;padding:20px 0 0 40px;">
  </div>
  <div class="layout-content-col span-3">
    <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/buttons_text.png"  style="height:94px;">
  </div>
  <div class="layout-content-col span-7">
    <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/buttons_image_and_text.png"  style="height:94px;">
  </div>
</div>

<div class="layout-content-row" style="margin-top:0;">
  <div class="layout-content-col span-3">
      <p>An image alone works best when the action can be represented by a symbol that's well understood.</p>
  </div>
  <div class="layout-content-col span-3">
      <p>Text alone is most appropriate for actions that would be difficult to
      represent visually, or are critical to convey in words to avoid any ambiguity.</p>
  </div>
  <div class="layout-content-col span-7">
    <p>
      Both an icon and text is most appropriate when they complement each other:
      each carrying its own bit of information, but together making a larger whole.
    </p>

    <p>
      For example, in a birthday reminder card in Google Now, the button's text
      describes the action while its image indicates that the action will be done
      in Google+.
    </p>
  </div>
</div>

<h3>What about button backgrounds?</h3>

<div class="layout-content-row">
  <div class="layout-content-col span-6">
    <p>For <strong>image-only</strong> buttons, a background isn't necessary because
    users are accustomed to interacting with objects.</p>

    <div class="layout-content-row" style="margin-left:72px">
      <div class="layout-content-col span-2">
        <div class="do-dont-label bad emulate-content-left-padding" style="width:30px">Don't</div>
        <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/buttons_image_bg_dont.png" style="padding-left:14px;">
      </div>
      <div class="layout-content-col span-2" style="width:29px;margin-left:10px;">
        <div class="do-dont-label good"><strong>Do</strong></div>
        <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/icon_alarm.png" style="width:31px;padding-top:7px;">
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>

<div class="layout-content-col span-7">
<p>
  For buttons <strong>with text</strong>, a background is also usually
  unnecessary. To invite users to touch, phrase it as a clear action (e.g.
  "Start", "Sign in") and use different color and formatting than the screen's
  usual body text.
</p>

<p>
  Use buttons with backgrounds sparingly. Because they have a heavy appearance,
  they work best when there's only one or two of them on the screen. They're
  most appropriate for:
</p>

<ul>
  <li>A call to action you really want users to pursue (e.g. "Sign up")</li>
  <li>A key decision point (e.g. "Accept" / "Decline")</li>
  <li>When the user is about to commit a significant action (e.g. "Erase
  everything", "Buy now")</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>