---
title: "Entering data | Apple Developer Documentation"
source: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/entering-data

# Entering data

When you need information from people, design ways that make it easy for them to provide it without making mistakes.

![A sketch of a pencil writing within a field, suggesting data entry. The image is overlaid with rectangular and circular grid lines and is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.](https://docs-assets.developer.apple.com/published/34d57a13e8fcf5f561a1d9c1eccf8e30/patterns-entering-data-intro%402x.png)

Entering information can be a tedious process regardless of the interaction methods people use. Improve the experience by:

  * Pre-gathering as much information as possible to minimize the amount of data that people need to supply

  * Supporting all available input methods so people can choose the method that works for them




## [Best practices](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/entering-data#Best-practices)

**Get information from the system whenever possible.** Don’t ask people to enter information that you can gather automatically — such as from settings — or by getting their permission, such as their location or calendar information.

**Be clear about the data you need.** For example, you might display a prompt in a text field — like “username@company.com” — or provide an introductory label that describes the information, like “Email.” You can also prefill fields with reasonable default values, which can minimize decision making and speed data entry.

**Use a secure text-entry field when appropriate.** If your app or game needs sensitive data, use a field that obscures people’s input as they enter it, typically by displaying a small filled circle symbol for each character. For developer guidance, see [`SecureField`](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/SwiftUI/SecureField). In tvOS, you can also configure a [digit entry view](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/digit-entry-views) to obscure the numerals people enter (for developer guidance, see [`isSecureDigitEntry`](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/TVUIKit/TVDigitEntryViewController/isSecureDigitEntry)). When you use the system-provided text field in visionOS, the system shows the entered data to the wearer, but not to anyone else; for example, a secure text field automatically blurs when people use AirPlay to stream their content.

**Never prepopulate a password field.** Always ask people to enter their password or use biometric or keychain authentication. For guidance, see [Managing accounts](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/managing-accounts).

**When possible, offer choices instead of requiring text entry.** It’s usually easier and more efficient to choose from lists of options than to type information, even when a keyboard is conveniently available. When it makes sense, consider using a picker, menu, or other selection component to give people an easy way to provide the information you need.

**As much as possible, let people provide data by dragging and dropping it or by pasting it.** Supporting these interactions can ease data entry and make your experience feel more integrated with the rest of the system.

**Dynamically validate field values.** People can get frustrated when they have to go back and correct mistakes after filling out a lengthy form. When you verify values as soon as people enter them — and provide feedback as soon as you detect a problem — you give them the opportunity to correct errors right away. For numeric data in particular, consider using a number formatter, which automatically configures a text field to accept only numeric values. You can also configure a formatter to display the value in a specific way, such as with a certain number of decimal places, as a percentage, or as currency.

**When data entry is necessary, make sure people understand that they must provide the required data before they can proceed.** For example, if you include a Next or Continue button after a set of text fields, make the button available only after people enter the data you require.

## [Platform considerations](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/entering-data#Platform-considerations)

 _No additional considerations for iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS._

### [macOS](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/entering-data#macOS)

**Consider using an expansion tooltip to show the full version of clipped or truncated text in a field.** An _expansion tooltip_ behaves like a regular tooltip, appearing when the pointer rests on top of a field. Apps running in macOS — including iOS and iPadOS apps running on a Mac — can use an expansion tooltip to help people view the complete data they entered when a text field is too small to display it. For guidance, see [Offering help > macOS, visionOS](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/offering-help#macOS-visionOS).

## [Resources](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/entering-data#Resources)

#### [Related](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/entering-data#Related)

[Text fields](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/text-fields)

[Virtual keyboards](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/virtual-keyboards)

[Keyboards](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/keyboards)

#### [Developer documentation](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/entering-data#Developer-documentation)

[Input events](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/SwiftUI/Input-events) — SwiftUI

#### [Videos](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/entering-data#Videos)

[![](https://devimages-cdn.apple.com/wwdc-services/images/119/9CCE8A5D-A751-441C-B88F-FB91E2D1958E/4949_wide_250x141_1x.jpg) What's new in UIKit ](https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2021/10059)

## [Change log](https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/entering-data#Change-log)

Date| Changes  
---|---  
June 21, 2023| Updated to include guidance for visionOS.