Drag & Drop
The Drag & Drop pattern empowers users to re-arrange and re-organize data quickly, reflecting direct manipulation principles. For instance, in the inventory management app users can drag SKUs between categories or reorder warehouse bins, in the dealer app, sales leads can be dragged to assign to different reps or prioritized in a list. We adopted drag-and-drop to streamline complex tasks (like batch assignments) that would be tedious via forms. The key design challenge is making the interaction discoverable and error-tolerant. We ensure draggable items have clear cues (grab handles or special cursors) so users know they can move them.
Insights
Following UX research, we ensure strong visual feedback. As Nielsen Norman Group recommends, drag-and-drop needs “clear signifiers and clear feedback at all stages”. In our design, when an item is picked up, it gets a subtle drop-shadow or translucency (making it look “above” other items). Nearby potential drop targets highlight in response (often by growing or changing colour) to guide the user. For example, our prototype for reordering columns in the inventory table animates the other columns sliding aside in real time as the user drags, so it’s obvious where the item will land (this matches the recommendation to show objects moving out of the way during drag). We even implemented a “magnetic” snap effect for some drops (so users don’t have to be pixel-perfect), similar to how Trello snap-locks cards into lists with animated attraction.
To support all platforms, we also consider alternatives:
On touchscreens, we supplement drag gestures with a handle icon that users tap-and-hold, and on desktop we allow a right-click context menu to move items as a backup for keyboard-only users. In fact, every draggable element in Appex is keyboard-accessible via a focusable handle – once “grabbed” with the keyboard, arrow keys move it, and screen readers announce its state. This follows best practice for accessibility, ensuring a user who can’t click or tap still has full functionality.
Best Practices
Make Draggable Items:
Make draggable items obvious. Use grab handles or cursor changes (e.g. change to a hand icon) on hover so users recognize movable items. Position handles away from other controls to avoid accidental drags.
Instant Feedback:
Provide instant feedback when an item is grabbed. Change its appearance (outline, drop shadow, slight angle or ghost image) so it looks lifted above the interface. This confirms the drag action and distinguishes it from static content.
Valid Drop Targets:
Clearly highlight valid drop targets. When the user drags an item near a target zone, show a visual cue (colour change, outline, placeholder preview). Consider a “magnetic” snap: activate the drop zone slightly early, so users can release before they are precisely over it. Always indicate when a drop is invalid (e.g. show a “no entry” cursor or shake animation).
Animate Intermediate Movements:
Animate intermediate movement. If dragging reorders a list or grid, animate the other items sliding out of the way rather than jumping instantly. A brief animation (~100ms) makes the action feel natural. Trigger the reshuffling when the dragged item’s center overlaps an edge, to avoid twitchiness.
Design For Accessibility:
Design for accessibility. Ensure keyboard users can “pick up” and move items with the keyboard (e.g. focus + spacebar) and that ARIA labels announce the drag instructions. For mobile, consider alternate controls (menus or buttons) for moving items when drag is hard. Always provide an obvious way to cancel or undo a drag if done by mistake.