• Success Criterion 3.3.7
  • Conformance level A

Wizard That Clears Previously Entered Data When Going Back

3.3.7 — Redundant Entry

Scenario

Setting

A bank's mobile money-transfer screen

What’s wrong

Wizard back-navigation clearing previously entered data, forcing re-entry in the same session.

Example 

function goToPreviousStep() {
  transferForm.reset(); // clears amount, recipient, and note fields when navigating back
  showStep(currentStep - 1);
}

Why it matters

A customer who goes back to double-check the recipient's account number loses the transfer amount they'd already entered and must retype it.

How to test

Go back a step in a wizard, then go forward again: if previously entered data was cleared and must be re-entered, it fails.

How to fix

Preserve entered values across every step of a wizard, including backward navigation, within the same session.

function goToPreviousStep() {
  // form state stays in transferForm.values, nothing is reset
  showStep(currentStep - 1);
}

Outcome

The customer checks the recipient details and returns forward to find the amount still filled in.

Who is affected

People with cognitive disabilities and motor impairments for whom re-entering financial details is both effortful and risky if mistyped a second time.

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