Using labels that are too long or too short

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 68 views

Introduction

In the pursuit of creating accessible and user-friendly interfaces, developers often overlook the importance of providing clear and concise labels for interactive components. One such component is the stepper, a common UI element used to guide users through a series of steps or tasks. In this article, we will explore the benefits of adding data-cy labels to stepper items and provide a step-by-step guide on how to implement this feature.

What are `data-cy` Labels?

data-cy labels, also known as Cypress data attributes, are a type of attribute used to identify and label elements in a web page. These labels are particularly useful for accessibility testing and debugging purposes. By adding a data-cy label to an element, you can easily identify and interact with that element using tools like Cypress, a popular testing framework for web applications.

Benefits of Adding `data-cy` Labels to Stepper Items

Adding data-cy labels to stepper items offers several benefits, including:

Improved accessibility: By providing clear and concise labels for stepper items, you can ensure that users with disabilities can navigate and interact with your application more easily.
Enhanced testing: data-cy labels make it easier to write and maintain automated tests for your application, reducing the risk of errors and improving overall quality.
Better debugging: With data-cy labels, you can quickly identify and debug issues related to stepper items, reducing the time and effort required to resolve problems.

How to Add `data-cy` Labels to Stepper Items

To add data-cy labels to stepper items, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Stepper Component

First, create a stepper component using your preferred front-end framework or library. For this example, we will use React.

import React from 'react';

const Stepper = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <div className="stepper-item">
        <button>Step 1</button>
      </div>
      <div className="stepper-item">
        <button>Step 2</button>
      </div>
      <div className="stepper-item">
        <button>Step 3</button>
      </div>
    </div>
  );
};

export default Stepper;

Step 2: Add `data-cy` Labels to Stepper Items

Next, add data-cy labels to each stepper item using the data-cy attribute.

import React from 'react';

const Stepper = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <div className="stepper-item" data-cy="stepper-item-1">
        <button>Step 1</button>
      </div>
      <div className="stepper-item" data-cy="stepper-item-2">
        <button>Step 2</button>
      </div>
      <div className="stepper-item" data-cy="stepper-item-3">
        <button>Step 3</button>
      </div>
    </div>
  );
};

export default Stepper;

Step 3: Verify `data-cy` Labels Using Cypress

Finally, verify that the data-cy labels are correctly applied to each stepper item using Cypress.

describe('Stepper component', () => {
  it('should have three stepper items', () => {
    cy.visit('/stepper');
    cy.get('[data-cy="stepper-item-1"]').should('exist');
    cy.get('[data-cy="stepper-item-2"]').should('exist');
    cy.get('[data-cy="stepper-item-3"]').should('exist');
  });
});

Conclusion

In conclusion, adding data-cy labels to stepper items is a simple yet effective way to improve accessibility, enhance testing, and improve debugging. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily implement this feature in your own applications and ensure that your users have a better experience.

Best Practices for Implementing `data-cy` Labels

To get the most out of data-cy labels, follow these best practices:

Use descriptive labels: Use clear and concise labels that accurately describe the purpose of each element.
Use unique labels: Use unique labels for each element to avoid conflicts and make it easier to identify and interact with elements.
Use labels consistently: Use labels consistently throughout your application to ensure that users can easily navigate and interact with your application.

Common Use Cases for `data-cy` Labels

data-cy labels are commonly used in the following scenarios:

Accessibility testing: Use data-cy labels to identify and test accessibility features in your application.
Debugging: Use data-cy labels to quickly identify and debug issues related to specific elements.
Automated testing: Use data-cy labels to write and maintain automated tests for your application.

Conclusion

Q: What are `data-cy` labels and why are they important?

A: data-cy labels, also known as Cypress data attributes, are a type of attribute used to identify and label elements in a web page. They are particularly useful for accessibility testing and debugging purposes. By adding a data-cy label to an element, you can easily identify and interact with that element using tools like Cypress.

Q: How do I add `data-cy` labels to stepper items?

A: To add data-cy labels to stepper items, follow these steps:

Create a stepper component using your preferred front-end framework or library.
Add data-cy labels to each stepper item using the data-cy attribute.
Verify that the data-cy labels are correctly applied to each stepper item using Cypress.

Q: What are the benefits of adding `data-cy` labels to stepper items?

A: The benefits of adding data-cy labels to stepper items include:

Improved accessibility: By providing clear and concise labels for stepper items, you can ensure that users with disabilities can navigate and interact with your application more easily.
Enhanced testing: data-cy labels make it easier to write and maintain automated tests for your application, reducing the risk of errors and improving overall quality.
Better debugging: With data-cy labels, you can quickly identify and debug issues related to stepper items, reducing the time and effort required to resolve problems.

Q: How do I choose the right `data-cy` label for my stepper item?

A: When choosing a data-cy label for your stepper item, consider the following:

Use descriptive labels: Use clear and concise labels that accurately describe the purpose of each element.
Use unique labels: Use unique labels for each element to avoid conflicts and make it easier to identify and interact with elements.
Use labels consistently: Use labels consistently throughout your application to ensure that users can easily navigate and interact with your application.

Q: Can I use `data-cy` labels with other testing frameworks?

A: Yes, you can use data-cy labels with other testing frameworks, including Jest, Mocha, and Selenium. However, Cypress is the most popular and widely-used testing framework that supports data-cy labels.

Q: How do I verify that my `data-cy` labels are correctly applied?

A: To verify that your data-cy labels are correctly applied, use Cypress to write and run tests that check for the presence and correctness of the labels.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when implementing `data-cy` labels?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when implementing data-cy labels include:

Using duplicate labels: Avoid using duplicate labels for different elements, as this can cause conflicts and make it harder to identify and interact with elements.
Using labels that are too long or too short: Use labels that are clear and concise, but not too long or too short.
Failing to verify labels: Make sure to verify that your data-cy labels are correctly applied and functioning as expected.

Q: Can I use `data-cy` labels with other types of elements, such as buttons and forms?

A: Yes, you can use data-cy labels with other types of elements, including buttons and forms. However, be sure to follow the best practices outlined in this article to ensure that your labels are clear, concise, and correctly applied.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some of the most frequently asked questions about implementing data-cy labels for stepper items. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can ensure that your users have a better experience and that your application is more accessible, testable, and debuggable.