Empty state — Empty archive with retention summary

An empty archive message sits opposite a retention-policy summary. Use to distinguish intentionally empty archived content from missing active content.

ReactHTML

1440 × 900

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Component.tsx63 lines

export default function EmptyStateArchiveExplainer() {
  return (
    <section className="bg-white text-neutral-900">
      <div className="mx-auto max-w-6xl px-6 py-16 sm:py-24">
        <div className="grid items-center gap-12 md:grid-cols-2">
          <div>
            <span className="inline-flex items-center rounded-full border border-neutral-300 px-2.5 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium">
              Archive
            </span>
            <div className="mt-4">
              <div>
                <h1 className="text-3xl font-semibold tracking-tight text-balance sm:text-4xl">
                  No archived items
                </h1>
                <p className="mt-4 max-w-2xl text-lg text-pretty text-neutral-600">
                  Explain that archived records appear here after removal from
                  the active view.
                </p>
              </div>
            </div>
            <div className="mt-8 flex flex-wrap gap-3">
              <a
                href="#"
                className="inline-flex h-11 items-center justify-center rounded-md bg-neutral-900 px-5 text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-neutral-700 focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-2 focus-visible:outline-neutral-900"
              >
                Browse active items
              </a>
              <a
                href="#"
                className="font-medium text-neutral-900 underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-neutral-600 focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-2 focus-visible:outline-neutral-900"
              >
                Learn about archiving
              </a>
            </div>
          </div>
          <aside className="rounded-lg bg-neutral-50 p-6">
            <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold">Retention overview</h2>
            <dl className="mt-6 divide-y divide-neutral-200">
              <div className="py-4">
                <dt className="text-sm font-medium">Archive period</dt>
                <dd className="mt-2 text-sm text-neutral-600">
                  30 days before permanent removal.
                </dd>
              </div>
              <div className="py-4">
                <dt className="text-sm font-medium">Restore access</dt>
                <dd className="mt-2 text-sm text-neutral-600">
                  Explain which roles can restore an item.
                </dd>
              </div>
              <div className="py-4">
                <dt className="text-sm font-medium">Permanent removal</dt>
                <dd className="mt-2 text-sm text-neutral-600">
                  Describe the final deletion step.
                </dd>
              </div>
            </dl>
          </aside>
        </div>
      </div>
    </section>
  )
}

Pattern notes

When to use: Use for an empty archive where retention rules deserve context. Choose empty-state-no-results for an unsuccessful search. Variations: add an administrator contact, use a restore deadline, or replace retention details with archive instructions.
Hierarchy: The archive badge gives context before the 30px h1 and active-items action. Retention uses 16px panel title and 14px labels. Heading up to 5 words, lede 18 and retention descriptions 10 each.
Responsive: Below 768px the retention summary stacks under the message. Actions wrap and definition descriptions use the card width. Title and section padding grow at sm.
Layout: White section with a 1152px max-w-6xl container, 24px side gutters and 64px vertical padding, increasing to 96px at 640px. Two equal columns at md use 48px gaps and vertical centering. The empty-message column starts with a badge, then headline and action row. A p-6 neutral-50 retention panel holds three divided rows.
States: Links and controls have a 2px neutral-900 keyboard-focus outline offset by 2px. Filled actions change to neutral-700 on hover, outlined actions to neutral-50, and underlined links to neutral-600. Native form fields retain browser validation; controls describe structure and need application integration for persistence or navigation.

Desktop wireframe

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│[Archive]                        Retention overview           │
│No archived items                Archive period               │
│Archive explanation              30 days                      │
│[Browse active items]            Restore access               │
│[Learn about archiving]           Role description            │
│                                 Permanent removal            │
│                                 Final deletion note          │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

View all

Empty state — Access required
Layout tags: stacked,icons,compact
Empty state — Centred icon with action
Layout tags: centered,icons,compact
Empty state — Empty collection beside example gallery
Layout tags: split,grid,media

Empty state — Empty archive with retention summary

Pattern notes

More in Empty state

Empty state — Access required

Empty state — Centred icon with action

Empty state — Empty collection beside example gallery