How to ensure consistent styling across all OutSystems screens using the OutSystems UI theme?

Ensuring Consistent Styling Across All OutSystems Screens Using OutSystems UI Theme

This guide provides an exhaustive, step-by-step approach to ensuring consistent styling across all screens in an OutSystems application using the OutSystems UI Theme.

Prerequisites

• Access to an OutSystems account with permissions to create and edit applications.
• Basic understanding of OutSystems applications and screen design.
• Familiarity with the OutSystems UI framework.
• Understanding of CSS fundamentals to manipulate styles when necessary.

Understanding OutSystems UI Theme

• The OutSystems UI Theme is a collection of pre-styled UI patterns and components that are used to ensure a consistent look and feel across OutSystems applications.
• It follows a design system that can be customized to reflect a brand's identity.
• Using the OutSystems UI framework, developers can enhance user interfaces quickly without having to start from scratch.

Setting Up Your OutSystems UI Theme

• Open the OutSystems development environment and navigate to your application.
• In the Application Tree, right-click on the UI Flow or Module where you want to apply the theme and select "Manage Dependencies."
• Make sure to reference the latest version of OutSystems UI by searching for it in the "Add/Remove references" dialog and adding it to your dependencies.

Applying the OutSystems UI Theme

• In Service Studio, go to the Interface tab where you can see your screens and UI flows.
• Select or create the Layout Web Block that will be used by your screens.
• Apply the OutSystems UI patterns from the toolbox to your screens to ensure a consistent layout and style.
• Utilize pre-built components like Headers, Footers, Sidebars, and other templates that conform to the OutSystems UI theme.

Customizing the OutSystems UI Theme

• To customize the theme, navigate to the "Styles" editor accessible under the Interface tab in Service Studio.
• Use the CSS editor for advanced styling needs or to override default styles. Inject CSS customizations while ensuring they remain consistent with the OutSystems UI framework's guidelines.
• Example customization to change the primary color:

      :root {
        --color-primary: #007BFF;
      }
      

• Use the Theme Customizer available in newer versions of OutSystems to modify theme variables like fonts, colors, and spacing without delving into CSS.

Ensuring Consistent Styling Across Screens

• Consistently use Widgets and Patterns from OutSystems UI across all screens to ensure a uniform appearance.
• Implement reusable Web Blocks for headers, footers, and other common UI elements that are standardized across screens.
• Regularly review screen designs in Devices' viewport to ensure responsiveness and consistency in design across different platforms.

Testing and Reviewing Your Application

• Use the "Preview in Browser" feature in Service Studio to examine how the application looks to end-users and to ensure that the UI elements are consistent.
• Review styles and layout on different devices and screen sizes to confirm responsive design adherence.
• Seek feedback from stakeholders and conduct user testing to identify any styling issues that might have been overlooked.

Maintaining Consistency Post-Deployment

• Document any custom styles or themes applied in an internal style guide to assist with ongoing maintenance and onboarding of new team members.
• Regularly update the theme as the OutSystems UI framework releases new versions or templates to enhance UI consistency and functionality.
• Implement automated UI testing tools to alert any deviations or inconsistencies in styling post-deployment.

By following these steps, you can ensure consistent styling across all screens in your OutSystems applications, leveraging the power and flexibility of the OutSystems UI theme for a cohesive user experience.