Form illustrations are used to provide instructions on completing paper forms. Screen illustrations are used to provide instructions on entering data into fields in computer programs. Both show readers what the form or screen looks like. To provide the most useful information, form illustrations should be shown properly filled in.
If users of the form may fill it in by hand, show the sample filled in by hand (it helps the reader distinguish between the form and the information that has been filled in). If you must reduce the form to fit it on the page, make sure that you don’t reduce it so much that the type becomes illegible.
Instructions for filling in parts of the form or screen should be keyed to the form using overlayed numbers. Keying the form allows readers to quickly locate the information they are looking for.
