Display error messages directly in Vaadin 7
forms, vaadin, validation
Solution
I don't think what you have in mind is implemented with vaadin's basic components.
I suggest the following approach: create a dedicated label above the form's input components that is invisible by default. After validation, if there are errors, add them all to the label's text and make it visible. Displaying the errors right next to the component that caused the validation error would likely mess up your layout too much anyway.
Problem
I'm developing a web app in Vaadin, which involves a large number of forms. Currently, all the screens have been created, and I ran them past a couple of test users (4) to checkout their usability. All of them had one and the same comment; when a validation error occurred, it was not clear what the problem was. None of them thought about hovering their mouse over the error indicator (if they even noticed the indicator) to get the precise error message. I read in the Book of Vaadin that the placement of the error indicator is managed by the layout in which the component is contained. However, it doesn't seem to say anything about directly showing the error message. Is it possible to do this (preferrably, without having to implement a custom widget set)? Thanks, William