Wordcount

[AuroraShahu-ONS]

What feature would you like to add to the ONS Design System?

There is a Users need for word count (Text area word count) based on user research usability testing for the IDS Project application, right now we are using character count ons design system link: https://service-manual.ons.gov.uk/design-system/components/textarea. We are Considering providing (approximate) equivalent word counts in addition to the character counts to meet user needs.

Ideally we would like to have a solution to add the 'approximately xxx words' or dynamic word count ('xxx word remaining' 'You have xxx words remaining') as part of the dynamic character count text. That solution does not exist in the ons design system but it does in the gov.uk design system. Could it be possible to add this in the ONS design system?
https://design-system.service.gov.uk/components/character-count/

Why should this new feature be added to the Design System?

According to usability testing findings, users when they type in text area, are wondering what charact count is in words. a user mentioned they would do a google search to see what 100 characters look like in words. An other user would expect 700 characters to be explained as whatever that means in sentences or in words, it's quite unusual for the user to find 7000 characters as a length.

Supporting material

gov uk design system character count and word count

Contacts

UR SEO: Adam Clow
IxD G7 : Alan Howshall
IxDSEO:Aurora Shahu