Step-by-Step Guide: Adding and Maintaining Help Text in Workday to Improve User Experience & Reduce Errors

This guide was originally published on Decision Makers Hub. Republished here for broader reach and educational purposes.


Why Is Help Text Important in Workday?

Help text in Workday provides instant guidance when users hover over or click fields, actions, or workflow steps. It reduces errors, boosts efficiency, enhances user experience, and cuts down on support questions—no extra training needed!

What Is Help Text in Workday?

It's a short, informative message tied to specific elements in Workday. Users see it on hover/click for quick clarity and instructions.

How to Add Help Text in Workday

(Requires admin or configuration access)

  1. Navigate to the Configuration Page
    - Log in to Workday.
    - Search for "Maintain Help Text" in the global search bar.
    - Select the field, prompt, or workflow step you want to enhance.
  2. Enter Help Text
    - Click Edit (or Add if new).
    - Write clear, concise text in the Help Text box.
    - Use bullets/short sentences for readability.
    Example: “Enter your legal first name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID or passport. No nicknames or initials.”
  3. Save and Apply Changes
    - Click Save.
    - Test: Go to the field as a regular user and hover—text should appear instantly.

Tip: Test in preview/sandbox mode first if available. (Original article includes an infographic for visual steps—check the source for details!)

Best Practices for Writing Effective Help Text

  1. Keep It Short and Clear — Simple language, avoid jargon.
  2. Make It Actionable — Guide users precisely (e.g., “Select the option matching your employment status”).
  3. Use Formatting — Bullets, bold key terms, short sentences.
  4. Stay Consistent — Same wording for similar fields across processes.
  5. Review Regularly — Annual audits or after changes.

Maintaining Help Text in Workday

  • Monitor user feedback and analytics for error patterns.
  • Update for policy, regulation, or system changes.
  • Test previews with a small group.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Overloading with too much info (users ignore walls of text).
  • Vague/generic descriptions.
  • Forgetting regular updates.
  • Ignoring accessibility (screen-reader friendly).

Final Thoughts

Adding/maintaining help text is a quick, high-impact tweak that makes Workday more intuitive, reduces mistakes, and improves adoption. Start with your most confusing fields today!

Have you customized help text in Workday? Share your tips or challenges in the comments below!

Read the full original guide with visuals here: Step-by-Step Guide to Adding and Maintaining Help Text in Workday

Republished for educational sharing. All rights with Decision Makers Hub.

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