What are the best practices for testing Bidi fonts and typography across different browsers and devices?

1 Know the basics of Bidi

Before you start testing, you should have a solid understanding of the basics of Bidi, which stands for bidirectional text. Bidi refers to the way text flows and aligns in RTL and left-to-right (LTR) scripts, and how they interact with each other. Bidi also affects other elements, such as numbers, punctuation, symbols, and images. To create and test Bidi content, you need to use the appropriate HTML tags, CSS properties, and Unicode characters that control the direction, order, and alignment of text and elements.

2 Use a Bidi font

A Bidi font is a font that supports both RTL and LTR scripts, and has the necessary glyphs, kerning, and ligatures for each script. A Bidi font can also handle the switching and mixing of scripts without breaking the layout or readability. You should use a Bidi font that is compatible with your target languages and devices, and that matches the style and tone of your web content. You can find some free and open-source Bidi fonts online, such as Noto, Amiri, Scheherazade, and Alef.

3 Test on multiple browsers and devices

Different browsers and devices may have different levels of support for Bidi fonts and typography, and may render them differently. For example, some browsers may not support the CSS logical properties and values that are recommended for Bidi layout, or may have bugs or inconsistencies in applying them. Some devices may have limited screen sizes or resolutions that affect the display of Bidi content. Therefore, you should test your Bidi fonts and typography on multiple browsers and devices, using tools such as BrowserStack, LambdaTest, or CrossBrowserTesting.

4 Check the visual order and alignment

One of the most important aspects of testing Bidi fonts and typography is to check the visual order and alignment of text and elements. The visual order is the order in which text and elements appear on the screen, which may differ from the logical order, which is the order in which they are stored in memory or written in code. The alignment is the way text and elements are positioned relative to the edges of the container or the screen. You should check that the visual order and alignment of your Bidi content match the expectations and preferences of your target users, and that they are consistent and coherent throughout your web content.

5 Check the interaction and functionality

Another important aspect of testing Bidi fonts and typography is to check the interaction and functionality of text and elements. The interaction is the way text and elements respond to user input, such as clicking, hovering, scrolling, or typing. The functionality is the way text and elements perform their intended tasks, such as navigation, search, form submission, or data display. You should check that the interaction and functionality of your Bidi content are intuitive and user-friendly, and that they do not cause any errors, glitches, or confusion.

6 Use automated and manual testing methods

Testing Bidi fonts and typography can be a complex and time-consuming process, so you should use a combination of automated and manual testing methods to optimize your results. Automated testing methods can help you detect and fix common errors, such as syntax errors, missing tags, or incorrect characters. Manual testing methods can help you evaluate and improve the user experience, such as readability, aesthetics, or cultural relevance. You can use tools such as W3C i18n Checker, BidiChecker, or RTL Styling for automated testing, and use feedback from real users or experts for manual testing.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?