Invision Community 5.1 brings a wide range of improvements to the user interface, with a particular focus on performance, accessibility, and usability.
We’ve modernized many of our existing components, reduced our reliance on third-party JavaScript, and made dozens of small refinements that make the overall experience feel faster and more intuitive.
Here are some of the highlights.
Better performance
Performance has been a major focus of 5.1.
We’ve upgraded jQuery to version 4 and have removed several third-party libraries, including UnderscoreJS. Combined with the performance improvements introduced in 5.0, this has reduced the amount of JavaScript downloaded on each page by around 250KB compared to Invision Community 4.
That means less code for the browser to download and process, helping communities load and respond faster while relying less on third-party libraries.
Several individual components have also seen significant reductions in JavaScript.
Mini profiles
Mini profiles have received a significant overhaul in 5.1. Previously, a mini profile could accidentally appear simply by moving your mouse over the trigger. They also presented a number of accessibility issues.
In 5.1, mini profiles require a deliberate click or tap to open. They’re now fully keyboard accessible and, for the first time, they work on touch devices. On mobile, you can also use a familiar swipe gesture to dismiss the profile card.
Ratings
Ratings have been redesigned to make them both more deliberate and significantly lighter. In 5.0, it was possible to submit a rating accidentally with an unintended tap or mouse click. In 5.1, rating options are contained within a simple dropdown that only appears after an intentional interaction.
The component has also received an 80% reduction in JavaScript, making it considerably lighter.
Reactions
The reactions interface has also been modernized. Previously, the reaction menu appeared when hovering over the component, which could make the interface feel a little fragile, especially when using a mouse. In 5.1, the reaction picker is opened with an intentional click and can be navigated entirely with the keyboard.
It’s also around 40% lighter in JavaScript.
Native form controls
We’ve updated a number of form components to make greater use of native browser controls. One example is the select tree. In 5.1, it uses the Popover API alongside semantic input elements. This improves its accessibility while also allowing us to reduce its JavaScript by around 75%.
Password peek
We’ve also added a password peek feature to password inputs throughout the platform.
A simple control lets users temporarily reveal what they’ve typed, making it easier to catch typing mistakes before submitting a form.
Accessibility improvements under the hood
In 5.1, screen readers receive more accurate information about interactive elements such as menus and dialogs. We’ve also replaced dozens of interactive links with native button elements where appropriate. These changes provide better semantics and more predictable keyboard behaviour, helping make the interface more usable for people who navigate communities without a mouse.
A more polished 5.1
These are just some of the changes coming in Invision Community 5.1.
Alongside the improvements highlighted here, we’ve made dozens of other accessibility improvements, performance optimizations, UI refinements, and bug fixes throughout the platform.
The result is an interface that is faster, more accessible, and more polished, while making better use of modern browser capabilities and native controls.
We’re looking forward to getting 5.1 into your hands shortly!
