Insertion Caret
An insertion caret is the blinking line in editable text. It shows where the next typed or pasted character will go.
A real example
Click between two letters and the caret moves there, while any selected-text highlight goes away.
Main parts
- 01Visible label
- 02Interaction target
- 03Current state
- 04Keyboard behavior
Use it when
Use this term when describing text editing, focus, selection, or how a custom editor works.
Do not use it when
Never confuse it with the mouse pointer or the highlight over selected text.
Name used in code
caret-color / selectionStart Before you ship
Give assistive tools the control’s name (accessible name), purpose (role), value, and state. Check keyboard use, visible focus, target size, disabled and busy states, feedback, and recovery.
Outcome: Use Insertion Caret to solve this user need without losing the current context. User context: Click between two letters and the caret moves there, while any selected-text highlight goes away. Recommended pattern: Insertion Caret. Why it fits: Use this term when describing text editing, focus, selection, or how a custom editor works. Do not use it when: Never confuse it with the mouse pointer or the highlight over selected text. Product requirements: Define the default, loading, empty, error, success, and recovery states. Keep user input. Give clear feedback after every action. Accessibility and resilience: Use semantic HTML, full keyboard access, and visible focus. Make the layout work when zoomed and support reduced motion. Follow the project’s current rules. Do not add a new UI library unless the project already uses it. Acceptance criteria: The main task works with keyboard only and at 320px width. Focus and status changes are announced. Check loading, failure, retry, cancel, and reduced-motion paths. Evidence and limits (evidence boundary): A formal document may still be a draft, release candidate, or final version. Check its status and browser or platform support. Unknowns to confirm: Product wording, data source, analytics events, supported devices and languages, and platform limits.
Check this request
Review the current use of Insertion Caret. Definition: An insertion caret is the blinking line in editable text. It shows where the next typed or pasted character will go. Release checks: Give assistive tools the control’s name (accessible name), purpose (role), value, and state. Check keyboard use, visible focus, target size, disabled and busy states, feedback, and recovery. Before changing code, report the evidence you found, gaps, severity, and the smallest safe fix.