Avoid Requiring Redundant Entry of Information

Disabilities Affected: Cognitive, Mobility

Success Criterion: 3.3.7

Level: A

Information previously entered by or provided to the user that is required to be entered again in the same process must be either:

Auto-populated, or
Available for the user to select.
Exception: Re-entering information is essential (e.g., security checks like re-entering password), information is no longer valid, or previously entered information should not be persisted (e.g., credit card details after transaction).

Why It Matters

Requiring users to re-enter the same information multiple times within a single process (like typing their address on both shipping and billing forms) increases cognitive load and the chance of errors, and is burdensome for users with motor impairments. Auto-populating or allowing selection streamlines the process.

Fixing the Issue

Identify steps in a process where the same information might be requested again.

Auto-populate: If the user entered information earlier in the same session/process (e.g., shipping address), automatically fill in the corresponding fields later (e.g., billing address) if appropriate.
Allow Selection: Provide a mechanism, like a checkbox (“Billing address same as shipping”), that allows the user to select previously entered information instead of retyping it.
Use autocomplete attributes (see WCAG 1.3.5) correctly to help browsers auto-fill common information.

Good Code Example

Using a checkbox to copy shipping address to billing address:

Markup
Preview

<form>
  <fieldset id="shipping-address">
    <legend>Shipping Address</legend>
    <label for="ship-street">Street:</label> <input type="text" id="ship-street" name="ship_street" autocomplete="shipping street-address"><br>
    <label for="ship-city">City:</label> <input type="text" id="ship-city" name="ship_city" autocomplete="shipping locality"><br>
    </fieldset>

  <fieldset id="billing-address">
    <legend>Billing Address</legend>
    <label>
      <input type="checkbox" id="same-as-shipping" onchange="copyAddress()"> Same as Shipping Address
    </label><br>
    <label for="bill-street">Street:</label> <input type="text" id="bill-street" name="bill_street" autocomplete="billing street-address"><br>
    <label for="bill-city">City:</label> <input type="text" id="bill-city" name="bill_city" autocomplete="billing locality"><br>
    </fieldset>
</form>

<script>
  function copyAddress() {
    const same = document.getElementById('same-as-shipping').checked;
    const shipStreet = document.getElementById('ship-street').value;
    const shipCity = document.getElementById('ship-city').value;
    // ... get other shipping values ...

    document.getElementById('bill-street').value = same ? shipStreet : '';
    document.getElementById('bill-city').value = same ? shipCity : '';
    // ... set other billing values ...
    // Optionally disable billing fields when checked
    document.getElementById('bill-street').disabled = same;
    document.getElementById('bill-city').disabled = same;
  }
</script>

Shipping Address Street:
City:

Billing Address Same as Shipping Address
Street:
City:

Bad Code Example

Requiring address entry twice without assistance:

Markup
Preview

<form>
  <fieldset id="shipping-address">
    <legend>Shipping Address</legend>
    <label>Street:</label> <input type="text" name="ship_street"><br>
    <label>City:</label> <input type="text" name="ship_city"><br>
  </fieldset>

  <fieldset id="billing-address">
    <legend>Billing Address</legend>
    <label>Street:</label> <input type="text" name="bill_street"><br>
    <label>City:</label> <input type="text" name="bill_city"><br>
  </fieldset>
  </form>

Shipping Address Street:
City:

Billing Address Street:
City:

Search Ultimate Guide

Free eBook

Integrating Accessibility Compliance Into Your Budget

A Practical Guide for Healthcare Leaders Navigating the New HHS Ruling

Learn More

Need Help with Compliance?

Our team is here to guide you through the process of meeting accessibility standards. Contact us today to get started.

Schedule Consult