# Messages

Postcode Lookup uses a small default set of messages to communicate specific events to the user. All of Postcode Lookup's default messages can be overridden. They are outlined below:

## Postcode Lookup Placeholder[​](#postcode-lookup-placeholder "Direct link to Postcode Lookup Placeholder")

[`placeholder`](https://postcode-lookup.ideal-postcodes.co.uk/interfaces/Controller.ControllerConfig.html#placeholder)

Sets the default placeholder label on input field.

## Button Label[​](#button-label "Direct link to Button Label")

[`buttonLabel`](https://postcode-lookup.ideal-postcodes.co.uk/interfaces/Controller.ControllerConfig.html#buttonLabel)

Sets the label on the search button.

## Postcode Lookup Disabled[​](#postcode-lookup-disabled "Direct link to Postcode Lookup Disabled")

[`msgDisabled`](https://postcode-lookup.ideal-postcodes.co.uk/interfaces/Controller.ControllerConfig.html#msgDisabled)

Message shown when button is temporarily disabled due to lookup.

## An Error Occurred[​](#an-error-occurred "Direct link to An Error Occurred")

[`msgError`](https://postcode-lookup.ideal-postcodes.co.uk/interfaces/Controller.ControllerConfig.html#msgError)

Message shown when an error occurs and prevents address verification from succeeding.

## Postcode Not Found[​](#postcode-not-found "Direct link to Postcode Not Found")

[`msgNotFound`](https://postcode-lookup.ideal-postcodes.co.uk/interfaces/Controller.ControllerConfig.html#msgNotFound)

Message shown when an invalid or terminated postcode is searched.

## Address Dropdown Prompt[​](#address-dropdown-prompt "Direct link to Address Dropdown Prompt")

[`msgSelect`](https://postcode-lookup.ideal-postcodes.co.uk/interfaces/Controller.ControllerConfig.html#msgSelect)

Message shown at the top of the address `<select>` dropdown.

## Unhide Address Fields Message[​](#unhide-address-fields-message "Direct link to Unhide Address Fields Message")

[`msgUnhide`](https://postcode-lookup.ideal-postcodes.co.uk/interfaces/Controller.ControllerConfig.html#msgUnhide)

Message shown to unhide address fields and allow manual address entry.

## WAI ARIA[​](#wai-aria "Direct link to WAI ARIA")

Postcode Lookup exposes some accessibility settings.

* Search input aria label [`inputAriaLabel`](https://postcode-lookup.ideal-postcodes.co.uk/interfaces/Controller.ControllerConfig.html#inputAriaLabel)
* Address select aria label [`selectAriaLabel`](https://postcode-lookup.ideal-postcodes.co.uk/interfaces/Controller.ControllerConfig.html#selectAriaLabel)

The following WAI-ARIA components of Postcode Lookups have WAI-ARIA attributes enabled

* Message box `aria-role` is set to `alert` to immediately notify the user
* Postcode Lookup container has `aria-live` enabled to alert users to updates in the address dropdown
* Search input accepts an Enter/Return key to trigger an address search without submitting the form

tip

**Accessibility**

Keep in mind these messages are also important for users who rely on the screen-reader. When altering the message be sure that the necessary meaning and intent is understandable to visually impaired users who will be getting audio cues from their screen-reader.