---
parent: components
---

@# Non-ideal state

Non-ideal UI states inform the user that some content is unavailable. There are several types of non-ideal states,
including:

* **Empty state:** a container has just been created and has no data in it yet, or a container's contents have been
  intentionally removed.
* **Loading state:** a container is awaiting data. A good practice is to show a spinner for this state with optional
  explanatory text below the spinner.
* **Error state:** something went wrong (for instance, 404 and 500 HTTP errors). In this case, a good practice is to
  add a call to action directing the user what to do next.

@reactExample NonIdealStateExample

@## Usage

__NonIdealState__ component props are rendered in this order in the DOM, with comfortable spacing between each child:

1. `icon`
1. text (`title` + optional `description`)
1. `action`
1. `children`

By default, a vertical layout is used, but you can make it horizontal with `layout="horizontal"`.

Icons take on a muted appearance inside this component, but their shape contrast is preserved by adding a small stroke
to the SVG paths.

@## Props interface

@interface NonIdealStateProps

@## CSS API

<div class="@ns-callout @ns-intent-warning @ns-icon-warning-sign @ns-callout-has-body-content">
    <h5 class="@ns-heading">

Deprecated API: use [`<NonIdealState>`](#core/components/non-ideal-state)

</h5>

CSS APIs for Blueprint components are considered deprecated, as they are verbose, error-prone, and they
often fall out of sync as the design system is updated. You should use the React component APIs instead.

Note that you are required to set the `font-size` and `line-height` styles for the icon element to render it properly.

Also, since the CSS API uses the icon font, Blueprint styles cannot adjust the icon visual design to have a muted
appearance like it does with the React component API. This means __NonIdealState__ elements rendered with this API will
stand out visually (in a bad way) within the design system.

</div>

Apply the `.@ns-non-ideal-state` class to the root container element and wrap the icon element with a
`.@ns-non-ideal-state-visual` container.

The root container should only have direct element children, no grandchildren (except for text, which is enclosed in a
`.@ns-non-ideal-state-text` wrapper element). This constraint ensures proper spacing between each child.

@css non-ideal-state