Tooltip vs. contextual help

A tooltip shows in-line information about the element that a user is hovering or focusing on. Contextual help describes a larger experience, such as something that's associated with that element in a broader sense. Use contextual help to communicate information about an entire view, rather than a specific element of the experience (e.g., in high-level section headers). Tooltips are meant for a few words or a short sentence, such as showing the label for an icon-only button. Contextual help offers more space to give more information, or to describe where a user can find further help.

Help text vs. contextual help

Help text is readily visible, in-line information about a specific UI element. The information in the contextual help component is about an entire experience or view, is hidden within a popover, and only appears once a user interacts with the icon-only action button. Use help text for critical information that a user needs to know to complete a task. Don't hide essential information in contextual help; it's intended to supplement the experience with minimal disruption.

More information about disabled components

Contextual help can be used to explain why a component is disabled and how to enable it. Don't make disabled components interactive (with focus states or hovering) as a way to display contextual information.

Action button component size

There are two size options for the action button in contextual help: extra-small and small. Regardless of size, the action button should be quiet and display only an icon.