# Write UX microcopy for buttons, errors, and empty states

Clear, on-brand interface text for buttons, form errors, empty states, and confirmations.

- Topic: Product & UX Design
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Design, Write, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/write-ux-microcopy-for-buttons-errors-and-empty-states

## Prompt

```text
Write microcopy for a screen or flow in my product or website.

**Screen or flow:** [e.g. "checkout", "sign-up form", "dashboard with no data yet"]
**What the user is trying to do:** [GOAL]
**Elements that need copy:** [buttons, field labels, helper text, error messages, empty states, tooltips, confirmations, success messages]
**Technical constraints:** [character limits, localization needs]
**Brand voice:** [e.g. "friendly but not cute"]
**Current copy (if rewriting):** [PASTE]

Rules:
- Buttons: verb + object ("Save changes", not "Submit" or "OK").
- Errors: say what happened, why if useful, and how to fix it. No blame, no codes alone, no jokes on serious errors (payment, data loss).
- Empty states: explain what will appear here and give one action to get started.
- Confirmations for destructive actions: name the consequence ("Delete 3 files? This can't be undone.").
- Use the same term for the same thing everywhere.
- Plain language, sentence case, front-load the key word.

Return a table: | Element | Copy | Character count | Note |
Then flag any spot where the flow itself is confusing and copy alone won't fix it.
```

## What to fill in

- e.g. "checkout", "sign-up form", "dashboard with no data yet"
- GOAL
- character limits, localization needs
- e.g. "friendly but not cute"
- PASTE

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.