> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cognite.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Helper text

> Supplementary text below a form field that provides guidance, constraints, or feedback. Always tied to a specific field — it's not a general annotation element.

## Helper text

<Badge color="blue">v1.0.0</Badge> | [View in Storybook](https://master--695bb4b1b8041ae09768950a.chromatic.com/?path=/docs/primitives-helper-text--docs)

### When to use

* Format requirements the user needs before they start typing ("Must be at least 8 characters").
* Validation feedback after a field has been interacted with.
* Contextual hints that reduce input errors.

### When not to use

* Long explanations — use a [Popover](/aura-design-system/primitives/popover) or [Popover](/aura-design-system/primitives/popover) instead.
* Page-level or section-level guidance — use [Alert](/aura-design-system/primitives/alert) or plain text.

### Dos and don'ts

* Do show format hints upfront, not only after the user has already made a mistake.
* Do replace the default helper text with the error message when validation fails — don't stack both.
* Do keep it to one or two short sentences — if you need more than that, the field or the form design probably needs rethinking.
* Do ensure error messages say what's wrong and how to fix it, not just that something is wrong ("Enter a valid email address" not "Invalid input").
* Don't use it for information the user doesn't need to complete the field.
* Don't write helper text that just restates the label in different words.

### Often used with

* Tied to a single field: always with that control’s [Label](/aura-design-system/primitives/label) and one of [Input](/aura-design-system/primitives/input), [Textarea](/aura-design-system/primitives/textarea), [Select](/aura-design-system/primitives/select), [Combobox](/aura-design-system/primitives/combobox), [Checkbox](/aura-design-system/primitives/checkbox) / [Radio](/aura-design-system/primitives/radio) group, or [Switch](/aura-design-system/primitives/switch).