Creation and presentation of accessible targeted prompts
Methods and corresponding systems and apparatuses for using keyboard input to configure targeted prompts in association with graphical elements of a software application being developed and to access the targeted prompts during runtime execution of the software application. A user interface of a builder application can include a first region and a second region. The first region displays options for configuring targeted prompts. The second region is a canvas region that displays a second user interface generated through execution of the software application. Keyboard input can include a shortcut that updates the user interface to switch between the first region and the second region and/or a shortcut that sequentially navigates between graphical elements that can be associated with targeted prompts. Other keyboard shortcuts can be made available for use with the builder application and/or during runtime execution of the software application.
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
providing, by a computer system, a first user interface (UI) including a first region and a second region, wherein:
the first region is a configuration window generated through execution of a builder application and displays options for creating targeted prompts for a software application being developed and positioning the targeted prompts relative to graphical elements of the software application,
the second region is a canvas provided by the builder application,
the canvas displays a second UI generated through execution of the software application and permits a first user to interact with the software application while using the builder application to create the targeted prompts,
the configuration window and the canvas are displayed simultaneously during execution of the builder application, and
the software application can be executed independently of the builder application to display the targeted prompts and the graphical elements in the second UI without functionalities of the builder application;
activating a targeting mode of the builder application in response to selection of a first option by the first user, wherein the targeting mode makes one or more keyboard shortcuts the builder application is programmed to recognize available, the one or more keyboard shortcuts being unavailable through the software application and when the targeting mode is deactivated;
responsive to input from the first user after the targeting mode has been activated, updating the first UI to:
sequentially navigate, based on repeated input of a first keyboard shortcut of the one or more keyboard shortcuts and using functionality provided by the builder application with respect to the canvas, between targetable elements through selecting the targetable elements one element at a time while skipping non-targetable elements, wherein:
the targetable elements are graphical elements for which the builder application permits targeted prompts to be created and are distributed across one or more columns extending beyond a screen area of the canvas,
the builder application highlights or visually distinguishes the targetable elements from the non-targetable elements and a currently-selected targetable element from non-selected targetable elements, and
the builder application identifies the targetable elements as the first user adds, deletes, or rearranges graphical elements on the canvas, using preconfigured rules indicating categories of graphical elements that can be validly associated with a targeted prompt and such that an order in which the targetable elements are selected each time the first keyboard shortcut is input corresponds to an order in which the targetable elements are currently arranged for display;
detecting, by the builder application, a broken association involving a first targeted prompt on the canvas, the broken association resulting from a corresponding graphical element no longer being available; and
displaying, by the builder application, a message prompting the first user to update the broken association with respect to the first targeted prompt.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the updating of the first UI includes switching an active region from the configuration window to the canvas, or vice versa, in response to user input of a second keyboard shortcut of the one or more keyboard shortcuts.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the updating of the first UI includes switching from the currently-selected targetable element to a next or previous targetable element in response to the first keyboard shortcut.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the first option is located in the first region.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein switching from the currently-selected targetable element to the next or previous targetable element includes highlighting or displaying a border around the next or previous targetable element.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
associating, in response to user input of a second keyboard shortcut, a first targeted prompt with a first graphical element, wherein the first graphical element is a targetable element selected through sequential navigation based on the first keyboard shortcut;
determining, by the computer system, a position of the first targeted prompt relative to the first graphical element; and
updating the second region to display the first targeted prompt in the position relative to the first graphical element.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the position of the first targeted prompt is determined by the builder application based on minimizing overlap between the first targeted prompt and other graphical elements displayed together with the first graphical element in the second region.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , further comprising:
displaying, in the first UI, an input field for associating text with the first targeted prompt, wherein the software application is configured to, when executed on a computing device of a second user, display the text within the first targeted prompt or communicate the text to a screen reader application.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
configuring, by the builder application, the software application to display an option that is selectable, when a first graphical element is displayed together with a first targeted prompt associated with the first graphical element, to switch from the first targeted prompt to the first graphical element while keeping the first graphical element and the first targeted prompt displayed.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein the option that is selectable to switch from the first targeted prompt to the first graphical element is a button within the first targeted prompt, and wherein the button is hidden when the first targeted prompt is initially displayed.
11. A computer system comprising:
one or more processors; and
memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to:
provide a first user interface (UI) including a first region and a second region, wherein:
the first region is a configuration window generated through execution of a builder application and displays options for creating targeted prompts for a software application being developed and positioning the targeted prompts relative to graphical elements of the software application,
the second region is a canvas provided by the builder application,
the canvas displays a second UI generated through execution of the software application and permits a first user to interact with the software application while using the builder application to create the targeted prompts,
the configuration window and the canvas are displayed simultaneously during execution of the builder application, and
the software application can be executed independently of the builder application to display the targeted prompts and the graphical elements in the second UI without functionalities of the builder application;
activate a targeting mode of the builder application in response to selection of a first option by the first user, wherein the targeting mode makes one or more keyboard shortcuts the builder application is programmed to recognize available, the one or more keyboard shortcuts being unavailable through the software application and when the targeting mode is deactivated;
responsive to input from the first user after the targeting mode has been activated, update the first UI to:
sequentially navigate, based on repeated input of a first keyboard shortcut of the one or more keyboard shortcuts and using functionality provided by the builder application with respect to the canvas, between targetable elements through selecting the targetable elements one element at a time while skipping non-targetable elements, wherein:
the targetable elements are graphical elements for which the builder application permits targeted prompts to be created and are distributed across one or more columns extending beyond a screen area of the canvas,
the builder application highlights or visually distinguishes the targetable elements from the non-targetable elements and a currently-selected targetable element from non-selected targetable elements, and
the builder application identifies the targetable elements as the first user adds, deletes, or rearranges graphical elements on the canvas, using preconfigured rules indicating categories of graphical elements that can be validly associated with a targeted prompt and such that an order in which the targetable elements are selected each time the first keyboard shortcut is input corresponds to an order in which the targetable elements are currently arranged for display;
detect, using the builder application, a broken association involving a first targeted prompt on the canvas, the broken association resulting from a corresponding graphical element no longer being available; and
display, using the builder application, a message prompting the first user to update the broken association with respect to the first targeted prompt.
12. The computer system of claim 11 , wherein to update the first UI, the one or more processors are configured to switch an active region from the configuration window to the canvas, or vice versa, in response to user input of a second keyboard shortcut of the one or more keyboard shortcuts.
13. The computer system of claim 11 , wherein to update the first UI, the one or more processors are configured to switch from the currently-selected graphical element to a next or previous targetable element in response to the first keyboard shortcut.
14. The computer system of claim 13 , wherein the first option is located in the first region.
15. The computer system of claim 11 , wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:
associate, in response to user input of a second keyboard shortcut, a first targeted prompt with a first graphical element, wherein the first graphical element is a targetable element selected through sequential navigation based on the first keyboard shortcut;
determine a position of the first targeted prompt relative to the first graphical element; and
update the second region to display the first targeted prompt in the position relative to the first graphical element.
16. The computer system of claim 15 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine, using the builder application, the position of the first targeted prompt based on minimizing overlap between the first targeted prompt and other graphical elements displayed together with the first graphical element in the second region.
17. The computer system of claim 15 , wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:
display, in the first UI, an input field for associating text with the first targeted prompt, wherein the software application is configured to, when executed on a computing device of a second user, display the text within the first targeted prompt or communicate the text to a screen reader application.
18. The computer system of claim 11 , wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:
configure, using the builder application, the software application to display an option that is selectable, when a first graphical element is displayed together with a first targeted prompt associated with the first graphical element, to switch from the first targeted prompt to the first graphical element while keeping the first graphical element and the first targeted prompt displayed.
19. The computer system of claim 18 , wherein the option that is selectable to switch from the first targeted prompt to the first graphical element is a button within the first targeted prompt, and wherein the button is hidden when the first targeted prompt is initially displayed.
20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code, the program code including instructions that are executable by one or more processors of a computer system to:
provide a first user interface (UI) including a first region and a second region, wherein:
the first region is a configuration window generated through execution of a builder application and displays options for creating targeted prompts for a software application being developed and positioning the targeted prompts relative to graphical elements of the software application,
the second region is a canvas provided by the builder application,
the canvas displays a second UI that is generated through execution of the software application and permits a first user to interact with the software application while using the builder application to create the targeted prompts,
the configuration window and the canvas are displayed simultaneously during execution of the builder application, and
the software application can be executed independently of the builder application to display the targeted prompts and the graphical elements in the second UI without functionalities of the builder application;
activate a targeting mode of the builder application in response to selection of a first option by the first user, wherein the targeting mode makes one or more keyboard shortcuts the builder application is programmed to recognize available, the one or more keyboard shortcuts being unavailable through the software application and when the targeting mode is deactivated;
responsive to input from the first user after the targeting mode has been activated, update the first UI to:
sequentially navigate, based on repeated input of a second first keyboard shortcut of the one or more keyboard shortcuts and using functionality provided by the builder application with respect to the canvas, between targetable elements through selecting the targetable elements one element at a time while skipping non-targetable elements, wherein:
the targetable elements are graphical elements for which the builder application permits targeted prompts to be created and are distributed across one or more columns extending beyond a screen area of the canvas,
the builder application highlights or visually distinguishes the targetable elements from the non-targetable elements and a currently-selected targetable element from non-selected targetable elements, and
the builder application identifies the targetable elements as the first user adds, deletes, or rearranges graphical elements on the canvas, using preconfigured rules indicating categories of graphical elements that can be validly associated with a targeted prompt and such that an order in which the targetable elements are selected each time the first keyboard shortcut is input corresponds to an order in which the targetable elements are currently arranged for display;
detect, using the builder application, a broken association involving a first targeted prompt on the canvas, the broken association resulting from a corresponding graphical element no longer being available; and
display, using the builder application, a message prompting the first user to update the broken association with respect to the first targeted prompt.