Button v. Link

Problem Summary: Should a button or link be used?
Pattern Key: BUTTON_LINK
Example:
Use When: Always
Solution:

Use buttons for

  1. The actions that are most important or that you want to emphasize, including Save, Cancel, OK, Find or other primary actions.

Use a link (or link button) for any action that

  1. goes inside a list, column header, panel header or any kind of header, even if it is a primary action,
  2. navigates to another page, rather than performing an action,
  3. has a very long text (greater than 4-5 words), even if it is a primary action (rare, better to use a hint), or
  4. is a secondary or peripheral action.
Rationale: NA
Accessibility: See Accessibility
Internationalization: See Internationalization
Supporting Examples: None
Where Used: NA
Coding: NA

Items of Note: None

Put to Use

Status: Created

Adherence Rating: Required

Used in Conjunction with: None

Related Patterns: None