Error summary plus per field

error-summary-plus-per-field

Error summary + per-field errors + focus the summary + link each item to the answer. Compatible with NN/g “not summary-only”; GOV.UK requires the summary as well.

Description

After submit errors, provide both an error summary and per-field errors. Focus the summary, and link each summary item to its answer. Summary-only or field-only patterns miss the requirement; GOV.UK needs the summary as well as field messages. Fail if the summary is missing, fields lack errors, the summary is not focused, or items do not link to answers.

When to use

Handling validation failures after a form submit on a GOV.UK-style page.

Not when

Not for live inline hints before submit, or non-form status toasts.

Agent hint

Focus an error summary, link each item to its field, and keep per-field errors.

Pass

On submit errors: a summary is focused, each summary item links to its answer, and each field also has its error.

Fail

Summary only (no per-field); per-field only (no summary on this pattern); summary not focused; items don’t link to answers.

Citations

GOV.UK Design System — Error summary

https://design-system.service.gov.uk/components/error-summary/