[#47492] - [Fix]I: Improved clarity and consistency in user-facing error messages
- Closed
- 30 Mar 2026
- Medium
- Build: 5.4-dev
- # 47492
- Diff
- Shubha-Kapoor:improve-error-messages
User tests: Successful: Unsuccessful:
- I read the Generative AI policy and my contribution is compatible with the policy and GNU/GPL 2 or later.
Summary of Changes
Improved clarity, grammar, and consistency of several user-facing error messages in the English language file.
Detailed Changes (with examples)
The following improvements were made to enhance user understanding:
-
Improved vague or incomplete error messages:
- "Error loading form file" → "An error occurred while loading the form file."
- "Invalid controller" → "Invalid controller specified."
-
Improved readability and sentence structure:
- "Login failed! Your account has either been blocked or you have not activated it yet."
→ "Login failed. Your account may be blocked or not yet activated."
- "Login failed! Your account has either been blocked or you have not activated it yet."
-
Improved consistency in tone and phrasing:
- Standardized messages to follow a consistent structure (e.g., starting with "An error occurred..." where appropriate)
-
Minor UI/UX improvements:
- "Prev" → "Previous" for better clarity
Testing Instructions
- Install Joomla locally using XAMPP
- Navigate to Administrator panel
- Trigger error messages (e.g., invalid login, password errors)
- Verify that messages are clearer and more user-friendly
No functional changes, only text improvements.
Actual result BEFORE applying this Pull Request
Some messages were:
- Too vague (e.g., "Invalid controller")
- Grammatically inconsistent
- Less helpful in guiding the user
Expected result AFTER applying this Pull Request
- Messages are clearer and more descriptive
- Improved grammar and readability
- More consistent tone across the interface
- Better overall user experience
Link to documentations
- No documentation changes for guide.joomla.org needed
- No documentation changes for manual.joomla.org needed
| Status | New | ⇒ | Pending |
joomla-cms-bot
- | Category | ⇒ | Language & Strings |
It is expected that you have tested your pull request before submitting it. You have not done that or you would see your problem
Thank you for the feedback!
I will re-check the changes locally to ensure they are correctly applied and visible in the UI. I’ll update the PR after verifying the affected files and behavior.
Appreciate your guidance.
| Labels |
Added:
Language Change
PR-5.4-dev
|
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| Category | Language & Strings | ⇒ | Administration Language & Strings |
It is expected that you have tested your pull request before submitting it. You have not done that or you would see your problem
Thank you for pointing that out!
I’ve updated the changes in the correct language file used in the administrator interface and verified them locally.
The error message now reflects the improved wording correctly.
Please let me know if any further adjustments are needed.
You shouldn't commit the commented strings. It has no purpose as git shows the changes.
And please check if the same changes should be made is the equivalent file in the site language strings
You shouldn't commit the commented strings. It has no purpose as git shows the changes.
And please check if the same changes should be made is the equivalent file in the site language strings
I thank you for your valuable feedback! I will make sure not to make the same mistakes again. For now would you please suggest me whether I should simply delete my irrelevant comments?
Thank you for reviewing and noticing me sir
PLEASE stop. All your pull requests are wrong. You MUST test your work before you submit it. It is disrespectful to expect others to spend their time testing something that you have NOT tested yourself
@Shubha-Kapoor Thank you for your first time contribution.
Please check the purpose of the different branches in Joomla. In this case, improving messages is not considered a bug fix.
I agree with @brianteeman:
You shouldn't commit the commented strings. It has no purpose as git shows the changes
We will therefore go ahead and close this PR.
| Status | Pending | ⇒ | Closed |
| Closed_Date | 0000-00-00 00:00:00 | ⇒ | 2026-03-30 18:28:04 |
| Closed_By | ⇒ | muhme |
This is my first contribution to Joomla. I focused on small UX improvements in error messages. Feedback is welcome!
I’m Shubha Kapoor, a BCA student from India and a GSoC 2026 aspirant.
I’m really interested in web development (MERN basics), Python, and open source development. I enjoy building beginner-friendly projects and especially love improving documentation to make things simpler and more accessible for new contributors.
Currently, I’m exploring Joomla and its ecosystem, and I’m excited to start contributing, particularly in documentation improvements and beginner-friendly issues.
I’m still at an early stage in my open source journey, but I’m eager to learn, stay consistent, and contribute meaningfully.
You can check my GitHub here: https://github.com/Shubha-Kapoor
Looking forward to learning and contributing. Thank you! 🌻