Progress Bar - UI Element

Progress Bars are UI elements used to visually indicate the progress of a task or operation flow. The UI/UX software shows the degree of task completed and the remaining amount yet to be completed. A progress bar UI can also be defined as a user experience tool that helps create an intuitive environment for any potential users.

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1. Determinate Progress Bars

Determinate progress bars are used in the context of quantifiable activities, and they show how much the operation has been completed and how long it will be fully completed. Use determinate progress bar UX whenever possible to communicate the status of an action. This way,  a progress bar is one of the best UI UX tools so that users will know that the platform is still working and their action is in progress.

2. Indeterminate Progress Bars

Indeterminate progress bars are used when it is not possible to measure the time it takes to complete an operation. This type of progress bar UX does not give users any indication of an ongoing activity, and watching the bar for too long might lead them to leave the platform. When enough data is available, subtly switching to a determinate progress bar is recommended.

• Use those  UI design tools when dealing with operations that will take time to complete. This way, the current progress and the remaining amount will be displayed.
• Use those user experience tools when an action disrupts the interface for over three seconds.
• Use a Figma progress bar when an operation requires running in the background for over three seconds.
• Use a progress bar FIgma when you need to visually communicate an ongoing operation's progress and remaining percentage.
• Do not use UI/UX software if the entire page is loading – use the Wireframe page instead.  

1. Anatomy of a Progress Bar

The content of the progress bar UI should describe the operation that is being performed.

• Label ‍

The label is optional in the progress bar UI design – especially in indeterminate progress bars. But it might be necessary when dealing with multiple steps. Keep the content short, clear, and concise. Don’t give too much information and use it with no period.‍

• Status

The status shows the progress and how much it is until the action is completed. It is also optional in progress bars – especially when it is not possible to determine how long it will take to finish a certain operation. This is especially the case for indeterminate progress bars.

2. ‍Combine Steps

When dealing with multiple operations within a flow, combine all related steps into just one progress bar. Try not to “rewind” the bar every time a step has been completed because users might lose confidence in its accuracy if the progress bar UI moves backward.For example, when “uploading” and “verifying” files in the file upload process, make sure to show only one primary progress bar with the entire process. You can add another progress bar but change the status text when finished and move the initial progress bar forward simultaneously and continuously.

3. ‍Layout of a Progress Bar

A progress bar UX can be presented within a new panel, within a notification, or under the user interface element that triggers the task. In some cases, it may also substitute the initial user interface, provided that it can return to its original state when the operation is completed or canceled.Allow users to pause or cancel by adding a ‘Close’ button in the right corner. Make sure that the button is aligned with the progress bar label.

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