As we’ve discussed in previous posts, form usability should be extremely high on your list of things to do to convert potential users, to actual users. A form can make or break the success of your application, so do your users a favour – make it as easy as possible to fill in. Below are 10 great jQuery plugins which can help you on your way to live validation of inputed data, and greater functionality from basic form elements.
1) AlphaNumeric
AlphaNumeric is a handy plugin which allows you to be very specific about what characters you will accept for any given form field, from numeric only, alpha only etc. You can also specify alphanumeric, but allow certain characters too, like & or % for example.
2) JTip
JTip allows you to add easy, functional tooltips to your form elements. Really good for helping your users out on the specifics!
3) Password Strength Indicator
Password Strength Indicator does what it says on the tin, however my preference would be to have the colors swapped round red for bad, green for good… Down to your imagination 
4) jQUploader
jQUploader makes it easy for you to handle image uploads from with your form. Once the upload is complete, it will add the location of the upload into a hidden form field for you to save.
5) Ajax Username Checker
Ajax Username Checker again does what it says on the tin. It’ll validate against your username records so that a user can choose a unique name straight away.
6) ASMSelect
ASMSelect is a great functional way to multi-select options in a dropdown field… cant beat it!
7) Geogoer VChecks
Geogoer VChecks is a very user friendly way to show checkboxes… Lovely!
JVal Validation
jVal Validation is another easy to implement validation plugin for all your live validation needs.
9) Default Value
Default Value is very simple, it shows a default value for a form field, and removes it when the user focusses on that form field.
10) Validation
Validation is the mother of all validation plugins. Pretty much covers you off for everything!
Conclusion
Hope you find these helpful – feel free to add more of your favourite form jQuery plugins in the comments section…
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Tags: form validation, jQuery, Usability
Nice roundup!
Here are some plugins that I find very useful when working on forms that need validation and intuitive data entry:
jquery field
http://www.pengoworks.com/workshop/jquery/field/field.plugin.htm
jquery metadata
http://docs.jquery.com/Plugins/Metadata
jquery autocomplete
http://bassistance.de/jquery-plugins/jquery-plugin-autocomplete/
I’ve found this one very useful:
http://cssglobe.com/post/2494/using-form-labels-as-text-field-values
It places the label for an input field inside the input field.
Thank you for this unique collection of jquery plugins.
You should also check out ToggleVal (http://jquery.kuzemchak.net/toggleval.php) in addition to Default Value. Has some additional features, but keeps things simple, too.
Very nice article.. I use jQuery and Ajax too.. also very easy to understand..
You can add:
NotesForLightBox is a simple, unobtrusive script used to overlay images on the current page. It’s a snap to setup and works on all modern browsers.
The current functionalities are:
Rounded corners light box
Navigation with buttons
Real slide show with progress bar
Live demo:
http://www.notesfor.net/post/NotesForLightBox.aspx
jQuery plugin targeting usability for password masking on forms:
http://www.prothemer.com/blog/2009/07/02/new-jquery-plugin-targeting-usability-for-password-masking-on-forms/
I haven’t even read the article yet, but I have to say: THANK YOU for making a mobile version of your site.
Very well done. You are my favorite designer at the moment.
I may subscribe based on this alone.
Hi
Thank you for this useful list of plugins. I have been using Jquery with ASP.net extensively and I cannot tell you how happy I am to move away for the MS Ajaxtoolkit
http://plugins.jquery.com/project/JQF1
Man! Look this form style plugin! It`s the most complete form style plugin! Works at IE 6 7 8, Safari (win and mac), firefox (win and mac), Opera, Chrome…
Do check out. http://www.geektantra.com/2009/10/update-for-jquery-live-form-validation-plugin/