Morningstar Design System

Switches

  • HTML/CSS Available
  • Web Component In Progress (MDS-6374)
  • Last Updated

    2.0.0

Switches afford a choice between one of two opposing states or options.

Variations

With Label

Default
Hover
Active
Focus
On 
<div class="mds-switch">
    <label class="mds-switch__label" for="--76338">
        <input id="--76338" type="checkbox" role="switch" class="mds-switch__input">
        <span class="mds-switch__text"> Logic Mode </span>
    </label>
</div>
Disabled, Off
Disabled, On 
<div class="mds-switch mds-switch--disabled">
    <label class="mds-switch__label" for="--22187">
        <input id="--22187" type="checkbox" role="switch" class="mds-switch__input" disabled>
        <span class="mds-switch__text"> Logic Mode </span>
    </label>
</div>
Do use for a choice that elicits an immediate change in the UI, like enabling a disabled field.
Do use for a choice that elicits an immediate change in the UI, like enabling a disabled field.
Don‘t use a <a class="mds-link" href="/components/forms.html#checkbox">Checkbox</a>.
Don‘t use a Checkbox.
Do use for a choice that elicits a change in background functionality without affecting the UI, like disabling an email notification.
Do use for a choice that elicits a change in background functionality without affecting the UI, like disabling an email notification.
Don‘t use a <a class="mds-link" href="/components/forms.html#checkbox">Checkbox</a>.
Don‘t use a Checkbox.
Do use for turning an option on and off, such as a data formatting rule.
Do use for turning an option on and off, such as a data formatting rule.
Don‘t use a <a class="mds-link" href="/components/forms.html#checkbox">Checkbox</a>.
Don‘t use a Checkbox.

Without Label

Use when the purpose of a switch is clearly implied by its proximity to other content and controls.

Without Label
Without Label, Hover
Without Label, Active
Without Label, Focus
Without Label, On 
<div class="mds-switch mds-switch--hide-label">
    <label class="mds-switch__label" for="--71774">
        <input id="--71774" type="checkbox" role="switch" class="mds-switch__input">
        <span class="mds-switch__text"> Logic Mode </span>
    </label>
</div>
Without Label, Disabled, Off
Without Label, Disabled, On 
<div class="mds-switch mds-switch--disabled mds-switch--hide-label">
    <label class="mds-switch__label" for="--29917">
        <input id="--29917" type="checkbox" role="switch" class="mds-switch__input" disabled>
        <span class="mds-switch__text"> Logic Mode </span>
    </label>
</div>

Switch Group

Default
Client Configuration Options 
<fieldset class="mds-switch__group" role="group">
    <legend class="mds-switch__group-label"> Client Configuration Options </legend>
    <div class="mds-switch">
        <label class="mds-switch__label" for="--18173">
            <input id="--18173" type="checkbox" role="switch" class="mds-switch__input">
            <span class="mds-switch__text"> Display Overview/Investment </span>
        </label>
    </div>
    <div class="mds-switch">
        <label class="mds-switch__label" for="--79777">
            <input id="--79777" type="checkbox" role="switch" class="mds-switch__input">
            <span class="mds-switch__text"> Display Account Details </span>
        </label>
    </div>
    <div class="mds-switch">
        <label class="mds-switch__label" for="--71234">
            <input id="--71234" type="checkbox" role="switch" class="mds-switch__input">
            <span class="mds-switch__text"> Display Benchmark Returns </span>
        </label>
    </div>
    <div class="mds-switch">
        <label class="mds-switch__label" for="--36733">
            <input id="--36733" type="checkbox" role="switch" class="mds-switch__input">
            <span class="mds-switch__text"> Allow Clients to Generate Reports </span>
        </label>
    </div>
    <div class="mds-switch">
        <label class="mds-switch__label" for="--19877">
            <input id="--19877" type="checkbox" role="switch" class="mds-switch__input">
            <span class="mds-switch__text"> Display Document Manager </span>
        </label>
    </div>
</fieldset>

Sizing

Sizing affects the switch size, text size, and internal spacing. The default size is medium, and you can use a modifier class to make the switch smaller (mds-switch--small) or larger (mds-switch--large).

Small

Medium (Default)

Large 

<div class="mds-switch mds-switch--small">
    <label class="mds-switch__label" for="--60938">
        <input id="--60938" type="checkbox" role="switch" class="mds-switch__input" checked>
        <span class="mds-switch__text"> Logic Mode </span>
    </label>
</div>
<br />
<div class="mds-switch mds-switch--small mds-switch--hide-label">
    <label class="mds-switch__label" for="--84048">
        <input id="--84048" type="checkbox" role="switch" class="mds-switch__input" checked>
        <span class="mds-switch__text"> Logic Mode </span>
    </label>
</div>
  • When pairing switches and Forms, use the same size.

Guidelines

Use When

  • Turning on and off a feature, mode, or functionality.
  • Toggling elicits an immediate change in the UI.
  • Toggling elicits a change in background behavior without affecting the UI.

Don’t Use When

  • Requiring user action consent, such as accepting terms and conditions. Instead, use a Form checkbox.
  • Requesting multiple choices from a group of options. Instead, use a Form checkbox group.

Visual Language

Do describe a switch’s functionality using a short label that doesn’t change, regardless of state.
Do describe a switch’s functionality using a short label that doesn’t change, regardless of state.
Don‘t pair two labels with a switch.
Don‘t pair two labels with a switch.

Behaviors

Do use the same label text for both the on and off state.
Do use the same label text for both the on and off state.
Don‘t change label text between states.
Don‘t change label text between states.

Editorial

  • Avoid acronyms.
  • Aim for 2 to 5 words.
  • When using a switch to control a “Mode”, make sure your modifier is specific and maps well to a user’s expectation once the switch is turned on.
    • Do: Logic Mode
    • Don't: Beast Mode

Accessibility

  • Include a role="switch" ARIA attribute to represent “On/Off” rather than checked/unchecked states.
  • Include role="group" for grouped switches.
  • The switch can be triggered by pressing spacebar.
  • Always include an associated label even if it is hidden from the screen.
  • If hiding label text, add aria-label to an element (i.e., section title) to further enhance accessibility.

Code Reference

CSS Class References

Class
Applies to
Outcome

mds-switch

<div>

At parent level, this applies base-switch styles to an element.

mds-switch--small

mds-switch

Adjusts styling to render a small switch.

mds-switch--large

mds-switch

Adjusts styling to render a large switch.

mds-switch--hover

mds-switch

Applies hover state.

mds-switch--active

mds-switch

Applies active state.

mds-switch--focus

mds-switch

Applies focus state.

mds-switch--disabled

mds-switch

Applies disabled state. To properly disable interaction with the switch, add disabled attribute to input.

mds-switch--hide-label

mds-switch

Hides label text although text is still readable by screen readers.

mds-switch__group

<fieldset>

Semantically structures a group of switches. Always include <legend> as a prelude for the switches.

mds-switch__field-group--horizontal

<div>

Apply to a parent wrapper of a fieldset to convert switches layout from vertical to horizontal.
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