Quick actions allow users to perform contextual actions when hovering or focusing on a specific component. They're shortcuts meant to make workflows more efficient.
For actions that are simple and common, we recommend using icon-only action buttons because they take up less space. Be sure that the icons used are easily recognizable.
Quick actions can also be text-only. These should be used when icons are not enough to convey actions that may be too vague, abstract, or uncommon. Limit the label to no more than two words or 10 characters (in English), and write in sentence case.
When there are too many actions to fit horizontally, expose the most common actions and group the rest under a “more” action button. The remaining actions can then be exposed in a popover menu.
In Windows high contrast mode, quick actions should be displayed using the high contrast theme-specified colors for buttons. The quick actions container should have a border matching the button text color. Quiet action buttons used within the quick actions should conform to quiet action button designs.
Except for the more ("...") icon in an action button group overflow, display either icon-only or text-only actions. Don't mix the two. Avoiding the mix guarantees that users can quickly and clearly parse the actions presented and do not associate icons and text that are not related.
Place the most common actions to the left. The less common or any destructive actions (e.g., "delete") should be on the right.
Don't put destructive actions first.
Quick actions should not be used as the only way to perform those specific actions. Users should still be able to take action, whether on a specific item or in bulk, without quick actions. These are intended to act as shortcuts to speed up the workflow since they only appear on hover.
When there are too many actions to fit horizontally, expose the most common actions and group the rest under a “more” action. The remaining actions can then be exposed in a fly-out menu. Do not wrap actions onto a second line.
Key | Interaction |
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Tab | Moves forward through the list in the dominant reading order (LTR or RTL); displays tooltip if available. |
Shift + Tab | Moves in the opposite direction; hides tooltip if visible. |
Enter / Return | Activates button/opens menu and moves focus to first item in submenu. |
A theme is an intentional, systematic customization of Spectrum. It has unique visual attributes. For more information, view Theming.
Quick actions in Spectrum for Adobe Express have a more rounded container with a more prominent drop shadow. This theme also uses a different icon set.
Date | Number | Notes |
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Apr 06, 2022 | 6.0.0 |
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Sep 16, 2019 | 5.1.0 |
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Jul 31, 2019 | 5.0.1 |
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Apr 20, 2019 | 5.0.0 |
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Includes all interactive states that are applicable (hover, down, focus, keyboard focus, disabled).
Works properly across all four color themes (lightest, light, dark, darkest).
Includes a desktop scale (UWP, macOS, web desktop) and a mobile scale (iOS, Android, web mobile).
Color is not used as the only visual means of conveying information (WCAG 2.0 1.4.1).
Text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for small text and at least 3:1 for large text (WCAG 2.0 1.4.3).
Visual information required to identify components and states (except inactive components) has a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 (WCAG 2.1 1.4.11).
UI language and information design considerations have been incorporated into component design.
Includes relevant options (variant, style, size, orientation, optional iconography, decorations, selection, error state, etc.)
Includes guidelines for keyboard focus, layout (wrapping, truncation, overflow), animation, interactions, etc.
Includes a list of dos and don'ts that highlight best practices and common mistakes.
Includes content standards or usage guidelines for how to write or format in-product content for the component.
Works properly across various locales and includes guidelines for bi-directionality (RTL).
Follows WCAG 2.0 standards for keyboard accessibility guidelines and includes a description of the keyboard interactions.
All design attributes (color, typography, layout, animation, etc.) are available as design tokens.
Includes a downloadable XD file that shows multiple options, states, color themes, and platform scales.
Includes a downloadable XD file, generated by code using design tokens defined in Spectrum DNA, and shows multiple options, states, color themes, and platform scales.
Component is included in the Spectrum for Adobe XD plugin.