[IxDA Discuss] Label alignment left or right?

[Dye, Sylvania]

You said:
"I have seen some applications for windows platform which used the right-alignment of labels.....(i.e. adobe products)"

Sure. Nothing wrong with not following Microsoft's guidelines when it's done on purpose. The holistic app design and consistency within the app itself are the most important things, of course. Unfortunately, we also see many applications that look funky and unprofessional because the overall design doesn't seem to follow any conventions.

You said:
"In my optinion the right-alignment of labels is mostly better. But in some situations it's difficult to scan the content. I have read it's depend on the experience of the user and the quantity of content."
 
So you're deviating from the platform guidelines on purpose and that's cool - consistency is the big thing. I like the right-alignment pattern better as well, and each pattern has it's pros and cons. Personally, I do use the left-align pattern in Windows design, but that's me.
 
Here's an eyetracking study on label alignment in Web forms: http://www.uxmatters.com/MT/archives/000107.php
 
Of course, Web usage studies don't always translate to desktop design, because the nature of users in Web apps is often quite different than in desktop apps, but in this case it's probably the same for both.
 
Cheers again,
Sylvania