Overview

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

Patterns are best practice solutions for how a user achieves a goal. They show reusable combinations of components and templates that address common user objectives with sequences and flows.

Overview

Universal patterns

Patterns differ from components, which are already designed, coded, and ready to be imported into a UI. Instead, patterns have multiple ways of accomplishing a user need and typically use a combination of components with additional design considerations. Because of the many ways patterns can be implemented, it is not possible to provide code for every scenario, however some patterns have example code.

Pattern

Description

Common actions

Frequently used actions that appear multiple times across different components and workflows

Dialogs

Prompted when the system needs input from the user or to give the user urgent information concerning their current workflow

Disabled states

Used to completely remove the interactive function of a component

Disclosures

Used to disclose additional content or information about part of a UI.

Empty states

How to address moments in an app where there is no data to display to the user

Filtering

The mechanism by which a user adds or removes data items from a displayed data set

Forms

A group of related input controls that allows users to provide data or configure options

Global header

Covers using UI Shell components for within and between product navigation; introduces techniques for achieving consistency in products

Loading

Used when information takes an extended amount of time to process and appear on screen

Login

Allows a user to gain access to an application by entering their user ID and password

Notifications

An important method of communicating with users and providing feedback

Ready-only states

Inputs for form components that users can review but not modify.

Search

An intuitive method of discovery, offering users a way to explore a website or application using keywords

Text toolbar

A set of buttons and menus that allows users to edit text.