# Feature Request/Parity: display field descriptions in editor when field content is empty

**URL:** <https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/feature-request-parity-display-field-descriptions-in-editor-when-field-content-is-empty/52730>\
**Category:** Suggestions\
**Created:** [December 4, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/feature-request-parity-display-field-descriptions-in-editor-when-field-content-is-empty/52730 "2024-12-04T19:03:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sudomain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@sudomain](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/sudomain)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/feature-request-parity-display-field-descriptions-in-editor-when-field-content-is-empty/52730/1 "2024-12-04T19:03:03Z")

</div>

Hello,

One thing I miss from desktop in AnkiDroid are the user configurable field hints that are shown when a note is being edited and has a field that is empty (and has had field hints set up). I’d like to be able to view the field descriptions when editing a note and change the field descriptions when changing field settings under `Manage Note Types -> Edit fields` please.

They were introduced in this PR:

> <https://github.com/ankitects/anki/pull/1912>
>
> In my personal Anki use, I feel like the feature introduced in #1476 isn't disco…verable enough to be useful.
> This PR based on forum user \[Ammar's idea\](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/field-descriptions/10686/6?u=kleinerpirat) should improve the situation:
> 
> \## Before
> !\[image\](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/62722460/173707803-cc107b2a-6e9c-4355-b148-7bf7bf032d4b.png)
> \## After
> !\[image\](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/62722460/173707996-8a41c5a9-914e-4bdd-b806-bd921251b9c1.png)
> 
> It should also be more mobile-friendly.
> 
> Method
> \---
> The description is added as a CSS variable which is then used by a pseudo-element:
> 
> \`\`\`css
> &:empty::after {
> content: var(--description);
> opacity: 0.4;
> cursor: text;
> }
> \`\`\`

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sorata](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/sorata/32/34115_2.png) [@sorata](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/sorata)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 7:10pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/feature-request-parity-display-field-descriptions-in-editor-when-field-content-is-empty/52730/2 "2024-12-04T19:10:20Z")

</div>

The desktop editor will one day (hopefully, in another year or so) be implemented in AnkiDroid so now it’s a wait for that.