Intro

In generative AI, prompts are essential for guiding the AI's output. Clear and effective instructions ensure that the output aligns with the user’s needs.

Quick prompts are predefined actions integrated into workflows for easy access. These types of prompts are crafted by experts known as prompt engineers, who focus on the efficiency of AI.

[internal_only]For more information on all types of prompt patterns, see Designing Effective AI Prompts.[/internal_only]

Animated GIF content generation with quick prompts. Initial stage shows a dialog containing a text area and a footer bar with two buttons being on primary button and one secondary button. At the top right of the text area there's a ”Generate” secondary AI button. On click ”Generate” AI button initiates content generation with AI. When generation begins, the AI button switches to Stop Generating and the text area displays a busy indicator. When output starts streaming in, the busy indicator is replaced by the generated text. During this time, primary actions are temporarily disabled to prevent interaction with partially generated content. After generation the button transitions to an AI menu button, offering quick prompts users can apply.

Content generation with quick prompts

When to Use

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Use quick prompts when:

  • Tasks are repetitive or for common actions within a workflow.
  • The system can only assist with specific actions.
  • Users lack expertise in the subject matter.
  • It’s crucial to minimize any bias introduced by users’ writing prompts.
  • Maintaining consistent and predictable output is essential.
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Don’t use quick prompts:

  • When a user’s intent is unpredictable.
  • When users need more flexibility in directing the output of the AI model.
  • For non-AI functions.
  • For multiple fields in the form – use actions at the form level instead.
  • When implemented through the AI button or menu button alongside the AI writing assistant.
  • Use quick prompts with the AI notice base concept to inform users they’re interacting with AI.
  • Clearly identify quick prompts with the AI icon.
  • Make sure that the AI output is unbiased, inclusive, and aligns with the company tone and identity.
  • Use recommended AI action labels.
  • Follow the action placement guidelines and use the emphasized button style only when a quick prompt is the primary action for the page.
  • Ensure users can complete the task without using quick prompts and without using AI.
  • Clearly identify quick prompts with the AI icon.
  • Make sure that the AI output is unbiased, inclusive, and aligns with the company tone and identity.
  • Use recommended AI action labels.
  • Follow the action placement guidelines and use the emphasized button style only when a quick prompt is the page’s primary action.
  • Ensure users can complete the task without using quick prompts and without using AI.

Components

The quick prompts pattern extends the following components to enable new AI-specific interactions:

AI button

Use an AI button when only one quick prompt is available. Style it properly with the AI icon to show that the action is AI-powered and use a clear label to describe the action.

AI button comprising an AI icon followed by the ’Generate’ button label for a quick prompt.

AI button with a quick prompt

AI menu button

Use an AI menu button when multiple quick prompts are available. Pair it with the AI icon and a label that describes the set of AI-powered actions accessible from the menu.

AI menu button comprising of an AI icon followed by the ’Revise’ button label, and arrow down icon. The menu is open with the following quick prompts as menu items: Regenerate, Fix Spelling and Grammar, Change Tone (submenu), Adjust Length (submenu), Make Bulleted List, Translate (submenu).

AI menu button with multiple quick prompts

For more information, see [internal_only]AI Icon, [/internal_only]Menu Button, Menu, and the Terminology section.

Behavior and Interaction

Generating content

Starting the generation process
Clicking the AI button initiates content generation with AI.

Image shows a dialog containing a text area and a footer bar with two buttons being on primary button and one secondary button. At the top right of the text area there's a ”Generate” secondary AI button.

Generating content with quick prompts

During generation
When generation begins, the AI button switches to Stop Generating, giving users the option to interrupt the process at any time. The text area first displays a busy indicator to show that the request is being processed. As soon as output starts streaming in, the busy indicator is replaced by the generated text. During this time, primary actions are temporarily disabled to prevent interaction with partially generated content.

Image shows a dialog containing a text area where content is being generated. At the top right of the text area the button that once was ”Generate” changed to a ”Stop Generating” secondary button. At the footer bar of the dialog the two buttons are disabled.

During content generation with quick prompts

Refining

When generation finishes or is stopped, the button transitions to an AI menu button, offering quick prompts users can apply to refine the output. Users can also edit the content directly.

Image shows a dialog containing a text area with AI generated text within. At the top right of the text area the ”Revise” secondary AI menu button is open and its menu with submenus shows the following quick prompt options: Regenerate, Fix spelling and Grammar, Rewrite Text (submenu), Adjust Length (submenu), Make Bulleted List and Translate (submenu).

Refining generated content with quick prompts

For information on handling warnings when versioning is not supported, see AI Writing Assistant and Regenerate.

For information on how to display the text area during generation, see Busy Indicator.

Handling Errors

If the quick prompt is interrupted or fails, follow the guidance for error messages in the message handling article.

For a consistent user experience, we suggest using the following error message:
Something went wrong while generating your content. Please try again.

Image shows a dialog containing a text area in the error value state and a value state message below it with the following text: Something went wrong while generating your content. Please try again. The dialog has a footer bar with two buttons being on primary button and one secondary button. At the top right of the text area there's a ”Generate” secondary AI button.

Error handling for content generation using quick prompts

Grouping

If necessary, organize prompts into submenus to improve navigation and reduce visual clutter. Group them by purpose or task, prioritize essential actions at the top, and keep group sizes manageable to avoid overwhelming users.

Image shows a secondary AI menu button with button label ”Revise”. Below its open menu with submenus shows the following quick prompt options: Regenerate, Fix spelling and Grammar, Adjust Length (submenu), Make Bulleted List and Translate (submenu). The ’Adjust Length’ submenu is open with the following options: Make Shorter, Make Longer.

AI menu grouping quick prompts in a submenu

Grouping AI and non-AI actions

Group related actions by purpose or outcome, whether they are AI or non-AI functions. When combining both in the same menu, use the AI icon to identify AI-powered quick prompts and visual dividers to clearly separate them from non-AI actions.

For more information and labels for submenus, refer to the terminology section.

Image shows a secondary menu button with button label ”Create”. Below its open menu with submenus shows the following quick prompt options: Document (submenu), Task (submenu), Request (submenu). The ”Document’ submenu is open with the following options: "Create Manually" and the ”Generate Draft” quick prompt identified by the AI icon.

AI menu grouping non-AI actions and quick prompts in a submenu

Terminology

Use the default labels provided below for text generation scenarios. To ensure a consistent and familiar experience for users, we recommend using the suggested wording. Only make changes to the default text if absolutely necessary for your specific use case.

Recommended AI UI text for AI text generation and transformation

<div> <div>AI Button Labels</div> <div>Description</div> </div> <div> <div>Generate</div> <div>Create or produce something, such as text, using AI.</div> </div> <div> <div>Revise</div> <div>Modify existing content or data using AI.</div> </div>
<div> <div>AI Action Labels for Menu Items</div> <div>Description</div> </div> <div> <div>Regenerate</div> <div>Regenerate text using the same prompt.</div> </div> <div> <div>Fix Spelling and Grammar</div> <div>Correct errors in spelling and grammar using AI.</div> </div> <div> <div>Summarize</div> <div>Condense information while retaining the key points.</div> </div> <div> <div>Paraphrase</div> <div>Rewrite text to convey the same meaning.</div> </div> <div> <div>Make Bulleted List</div> <div>Organize information into a list format.</div> </div> <div> <div>Explain Content</div> <div>Clarify the meaning of content or data using AI.</div> </div>
<div> <div>Menu Items with Submenu</div> <div>Labels for Submenu Items</div> <div>Description</div> </div> <div> <div>Rewrite Text</div> <div>Simplify</div> <div>Makes text easier to understand.</div> </div> <div> <div></div> <div>Expand</div> <div>Elaborate on the content, providing more detail or depth.</div> </div> <div> <div>Change Tone</div> <div>Make More Casual</div> <div>Make writing less formal.</div> </div> <div> <div></div> <div>Make More Professional</div> <div>Make writing more formal.</div> </div> <div> <div>Adjust Length</div> <div>Make Shorter</div> <div>Reduce the length of the text.</div> </div> <div> <div></div> <div>Make Longer</div> <div>Increase the length of the text.</div> </div> <div> <div>Translate</div> <div>Language 1</div> <div>Translate text into the selected language.</div> </div> <div> <div></div> <div>Language 2</div> <div>Translate text into the selected language.</div> </div>
guideline

For actions not covered above, apply the following guidelines:

  • Use a verb in the imperative.
  • Keep AI action labels as short as possible while prioritizing clarity for users.
  • Use the same AI action labels consistently.

For more information, see UI Text Guidelines for SAP Fiori Apps.

Responsible AI

Appropriate use of quick prompts

Quick prompts are designed to make interactions easier by providing clear, predefined options. They help users complete tasks faster and reduce confusion. However, it's important to use them appropriately. Quick prompts should align with the user's needs. In complex scenarios where more detail or context is required, they may fall short. In such cases, guided or custom prompts can lead to more accurate and comprehensive responses.

[internal_only]Additionally, ensure that using quick prompts aligns with SAP’s commitment to responsible AI practices and adheres to our SAP Global AI Ethics Policy by completing the AI Ethics Assessment Process. For use cases classified as standard, we recommend completing the AI Ethics Policy Self-Assessment.[/internal_only]

User autonomy

Empower users by enabling them to disable quick prompts and AI features in their workflow. Ensure alternative methods are available for users to complete their tasks without relying on AI.

AI transparency

Ensure clarity in the deployment of quick prompts, making their use and purpose transparent to users. Use clear indicators, like AI icons or buttons, to ensure users know when they’re interacting with AI. Follow our design guidelines to maintain consistency in how these features are presented.

Prevent bias in prompt design

Ensure the prompt design process actively involves measures to prevent bias. Like biased training data, poorly designed prompts can produce skewed or harmful results.

Advocate for a diverse group of users and technical experts to focus on thoughtful prompt design, conduct comprehensive evaluations of user needs and outcomes, and iterate to ensure that AI-generated content is as free from bias as possible.

Prompt Engineering

Prompt engineering is the process of designing and refining instructions to guide the behavior and output of generative AI models.

Your product team is responsible for engineering effective prompts tailored to the underlying AI model, ensuring users get the desired results when using quick prompts.

Follow the [internal_only]best practices[/internal_only][external_only]best practices[/external_only] and, where necessary, use advanced LLM techniques like embeddings and fine-tuning to get the best outcomes.

Helpful Terms

Foundation models

Large deep learning models trained on massive unlabeled data with self-supervised learning. They provide general-purpose capabilities across domains (text, images, audio, multimodal).

Large language models (LLMs)

A subset of foundation models specialized in natural language. Trained on vast text datasets, they excel at understanding and generating human language and can be fine-tuned for specific tasks or domains.

Prompt engineering

The process of designing and refining instructions to guide the behavior and output of generative AI models.

Embeddings

A way to represent language or data as numbers that capture meaning and similarity. This enables AI to recognize when different words or phrases convey similar ideas, allowing it to retrieve relevant information even without exact word matches and to generalize beyond its training data.

Fine-tuning

Fine-tuning LLMs is the resource-intensive process of customizing a pre-trained language model on specific tasks or datasets to make it more proficient and accurate in generating relevant text.

Guidelines

Implementation

Visual Design

  • Button (visual design)
  • Button (interaction design, web component)

Guidelines

Implementation