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Tags

Last updated on July 24, 2024

An illustration of the tag component in use

Tags are used to label and filter content in an interface.

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How to use this component

The tag component provides a method to label and categorise content in an interface. They enable the user to enable the user to sort, filter or otherwise change the content being displayed, to more easily find what they need. 

They are useful for dense or content-rich contexts like:

  • Search
  • Inputs
  • Lists of items and content

Tags can also be hyperlinked, to help the user navigate to other content.

Structure and behaviour

Anatomy

An annotated diagram of the tag component

Each tag has:

  1. A coloured background
  2. A dark border
  3. A text label
  4. An icon, arrayed to the left of the text label (optional)
  5. A 'close' or 'remove' icon, arrayed to the right of the text label (optional)

Multiple tags grouped together are arrayed horizontally, and can also display:

  • A text label for the tag group
  • An error message, if needed

Behaviour

An annotated diagram of the tag component's behaviour

  1. At rest, the tag is in its default state
  2. When the user selects or removes a tag, its border thickness and colour change
  3. When the user focuses a tag, it receives an offset border ring
  4. When a tag is marked as disabled, it is greyed out and cannot be focused or clicked

Design guidance

Design system components are published in a Figma library. Install the library and add it to your project to start using this component.

Get the design library in Figma

Tags are useful for providing additional context for a list of options, and enabling a user to remove or hide non-relevant content. They should be used as a secondary sorting and filtering tool, not as a primary method of navigating content.

Avoid displaying long lists of tags, as they can clutter an interface and make navigating content confusing.

By default, the tag component supports displaying up to 8 tags. If you have more than 8 tags, consider revisiting how you're organising your content. 

Controls

The tag component has two subcomponents in Figma, each with their own set of controls:

  • The tag group, used to group and label multiple tags together
  • The invidual tag items themselves

Tags

Control Options Description
State
  • Default
  • Selected
  • Pressed/focused
  • Disabled

Toggles between different interaction states
Colour
  • Grey
  • Blue
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • Red
  • Dark
  • Theme Blue
  • Theme Gold

Toggles tag colour. 8 predefined colourways are included as a starting point.
Icon
  • On
  • Off

Toggles on/off an icon on the left of the tag 
Closeable
  • On
  • Off

Defines whether a tag is closable/removable. Toggles on/off a 'close' icon on the right of the tag
Tag text
  • String

Sets label text for the tag

Tag group 

Control Options Description
State
  • Default
  • Selected
  • Pressed/focused
  • Disabled

Toggles between different interaction states
Colour
  • Grey
  • Blue
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • Red
  • Dark
  • Theme Blue
  • Theme Gold

Toggles tag colour. 8 predefined colourways are included as a starting point. 

Technical information

Detailed technical documentation, interactive previews and code samples are published in the B.C. Design System Storybook.

View this component in Storybook

A reference implementation of the tag component in React is published in the BCDS React components library. Install the package via npm to start using the component.

Supported props

The tag component is a styled version of the React Aria TagGroup component. It relies on the TagList and Tag subcomponents.

Refer to the React Aria documentation for detailed information about:

Selection

You can configure a group of tags to allow the user to select a single or multiple options. You can also set individual tags to be selected by default, or disable them entirely. 

Selection behaviour is disabled if a tag is hyperlinked.

Accessibility

These summaries reflect the component used as provided. If you modify it, confirm that your changes comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). B.C. government digital services are required to meet the WCAG Level AA standard.

Accessibility checklist for the tag component
Requirement WCAG Success Criterion Validation
Make sure colour isn't the only way you convey information 1.4.1 (Level A)

Tags have a distinctive shape and rounded corners to differentiate them within the user interface
Enhance visual contrast for user interface and graphics 1.4.11 (Level AA)

Tag fill and text colours exceed 4.5:1 contrast ratio in all states (except 'Disabled', which is exempt from SC 1.4.11)
Let people choose how they navigate content 2.4.5 (Level AA)

Tags can be navigated, selected and deselected using the keyboard
Show where the keyboard is active on the screen 2.4.7 (Level AA)

Tag focus state is indicated by an offset border ring
Use consistent names in labels 2.5.3 (Level AA)

Tags have a visible text label, and supports semantic labelling via the aria-label property
Make sure interaction or click targets meet a minimum size 2.5.8 (Level AA)
WCAG 2.2

Tags have a minimum target area of 32px by 32px
Ensure user interface components behave predictably 3.2.1 (Level A) Tags are not selected or deselected automatically on focus
Make sure components can be read and used by assistive technology 4.1.2 (Level A)

Tags are grouped and labelled using aria-labelledby attributes