Consistent text formatting helps users locate and interpret information easily. Nowhere is this more important than in helping users navigate program user interfaces. For user interface elements, follow the capitalization and bold formatting guidelines in the following sections. For formatting conventions of elements that are not part of the user interface, see Document conventions (Chapter 6).
Use the following capitalization guidelines for user interface elements:
For menu names, command names, command button names, dialog box titles, and tab names, follow the capitalization of the user interface. If the user interface is inconsistent, use title capitalization.
For dialog box and page elements, follow the capitalization of the user interface. Current style calls for these items to use sentence-style capitalization. If the interface is inconsistent, use sentence-style capitalization.
For functional elements that do not have a label in the user interface, such as toolbars (the Standard toolbar) and toolbar buttons (the Insert Table button), use title capitalization. However, do not capitalize the element type such as toolbar, button, menu, scroll bar, and icon.
For labels in the interface that are all lowercase or all uppercase, title capitalization is recommended.
Always consult your project style sheet for terms that require specific capitalization or for terms that are traditionally all uppercase or all lowercase.
In general, use bold formatting for user interface elements, both in procedures and in other text in instructional content. An exception is in content designed to generate interest, such as presales materials or overview content on the web, or if following this guidance would make content unreadable, it is all right not to use bold formatting for UI elements. When in doubt, consult your project style sheet.
Microsoft style
The Word 2010 ribbon has such tabs as the Home tab, the Insert tab, and the Page Layout tab.
On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Copy.
Do not use bold formatting for feature names unless the user must click the feature name.
For more information, see Controls; Document conventions (Chapter 6); Ribbons, menus, and toolbars; Procedures (Chapter 6).
Microsoft style
When the Track Changes feature is turned on, you can view all changes that you make in a document.
On the Review tab, in the Tracking group, click Track Changes.
With Remote Desktop Connection, you can connect to your work computer from your home computer.
To open Remote Desktop Connection, click Start, point to All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Remote Desktop Connection.
Not Microsoft style
When the Track Changes feature is turned on, you can view all of the changes that you make in a document.
With Remote Desktop Connection, you can connect to your work computer from your home computer.
To open Remote Desktop Connection, click Start, point to All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Remote Desktop Connection.
Use the following bold formatting guidelines for user interface elements. For some elements, special capitalization guidance is also mentioned.
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