Question

Accordions can provide flashy effects, but with regard to usability, when is it appropriate to use them? For example, in a menu tree with lots of options, an accordion can provide better overview of the categories. On the other hand, if I want to see all options available, I have to click around a lot.

When do you use accordions?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Consider a google map which has a panel overlay allowing you to choose from certain criteria to display points on the map

You are working withing the confines of the dimensions of the map but may have multiple categories of filters that you want to display. The categories you choose are directly linked to the map so to have them seperated from the map i.e. not in an overlay would present a usability and feedback on selection challenge

In this example it would make sense to use an accordion for example you may have a local area statistics map and your accordion might be organised by

Crime Statistics

Burglaries    

Wealth Statistics

Rich
Poor    

I would not use an accordion as a replacement for traditional vertical navigation