Product & design · Writing & communication
Recognition over recall.
Making options or information visible so people can identify what they need instead of retrieving it from memory.
Useful when an interface asks people to remember unfamiliar commands.
“Favor recognition over recall: show recent projects instead of requiring people to type their exact names.”
A closer look
Visible choices supply cues that memory alone may not provide. A labeled command menu can help someone find a feature whose name they have forgotten. Choose relevant cues rather than replacing one memory burden with an overwhelming list.
Put it to work
“Offer a searchable list of valid field names beside the filter builder.”
A useful distinction
Recognizing a correct answer does not show that someone could independently recall or apply the idea in every situation.