Best practices for displaying status of optional fields that are not filled out by the user?

1. Is it important to clearly distinguish optional fields when designing a form?
2. How do you indicate an optional field?
3. How do you indicate required fields in web design?

Is it important to clearly distinguish optional fields when designing a form?

You should always try and avoid optional fields in forms. In the case you use optional fields clearly distinguish which input fields are required. Standard UX design, is to use an asterisk (*) for required fields and the word “optional” for non-required fields.

How do you indicate an optional field?

A simple way to show optional fields is to put '(optional)' within the question's label.

How do you indicate required fields in web design?

Required fields should be indicated with either a symbol or text, not just color. When providing an indicator for a required field, it should be placed right before the form field. This allows a screen reader to read the indicator to a screen reader user right before the user activates the field.