- Success Criterion 3.2.4
- Conformance level AA
- W3C reference F31
Same Feature Given a Different Name on Different Pages
3.2.4 — Consistent Identification
Scenario
Setting
An online spreadsheet's toolbar
What’s wrong
The same feature is labeled differently on different pages (e.g., 'Search' here, 'Find' there), confusing users who rely on consistency.
Example
During an audit of an online spreadsheet's toolbar: the same feature is labeled differently on different pages (e.g., 'Search' here, 'Find' there), confusing users who rely on consistency.
Why it matters
Screen-reader users and people with cognitive disabilities who rely on consistent naming. On an online spreadsheet's toolbar, that means they can't predict where to find the same feature.
How to test
Compare the same feature's label across multiple pages: if it's called something different in different places (e.g., 'Search' vs. 'Find'), it fails.
How to fix
Use one consistent label for the same function on every page.
Outcome
With the fix in place on an online spreadsheet's toolbar, they predict where to look without relearning the layout.
Who is affected
Screen-reader users and people with cognitive disabilities who rely on consistent naming.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
- Technique Related technique (opens in a new tab)
Related scenarios
- Search Function Labeled ‘Search’ Here and ‘Find’ Elsewhere
- Same Icon Meaning Different Things on Different Pages
- Shopping Cart Alternating Between ‘Cart’, ‘Basket’, and ‘Bag’
- Identical Icon Given Different Accessible Names for One Function
- Print Function Labeled Inconsistently Across the Site
- Same Download Feature Announced With Different Alt Text