Depending on the type of content that you are writing, you can choose among several types of lists: bulleted, numbered, unnumbered single-column, unnumbered multicolumn, or “term list.” A list can incorporate a nested comment, an untitled table, or no more than one nested list.
A table is an arrangement of data with two or more columns in which the information in the first column in each row is related to the information in the other column or columns of the same row. A list of similar entries that is arranged in multiple columns is not a table but a multicolumn list. An example is a list of commands. A table usually has column headings and may have a title. For more information, see Tables.
Introduce a list with a heading or with a sentence or fragment ending with a colon. Begin each entry in a bulleted or numbered list with a capital letter.
Make entries in a list parallel. End each entry with a period if all entries are complete sentences, if they are a mixture of fragments and complete sentences, or if they all complete the introductory sentence or fragment. An exception is when all entries are short phrases (three words or fewer) or single words. These entries do not need ending punctuation. If all entries are fragments that together with the introductory phrase do not form a complete sentence, do not end them with periods.
If you introduce a list with a fragment, do not treat the list and its introduction as one continuous sentence. That is, do not use semicolons or commas to end list items, and do not insert and before the last list element.
If your content will be localized, be aware that the grammar and syntax of different languages can make it difficult to match the structure in English of an introductory fragment that is completed by each list element. Introductory fragments may also lead to mistranslation in content that is machine translated.
Microsoft style
If you use printer fonts:
Choose a printer before creating a presentation.
Install all the fonts and printers that you will use by selecting them in the Print Setup dialog box.
The database includes the following:
Reports
Forms
Tables
Modules
Not Microsoft style
The database includes the following:
Reports,
Forms,
Tables, and
Modules.
Use a bulleted list for an unordered series of concepts, items, or options. Capitalize the first word of each bulleted entry.
Microsoft style
The database owner can:
Create and delete a database.
Add, delete, or modify a document.
Add, delete, or modify any information in the database.
Use a numbered list for procedures or other sequential lists. You can introduce a procedure in two ways:
With a heading that uses an infinitive phrase.
With a sentence in the imperative mood (including an infinitive phrase) or in the indicative mood.
If you introduce a procedure with a heading, do not use explanatory text after the heading. Also, do not use a colon after the heading.
Microsoft style (heading)
To log on to a database
On the File menu, click Open Database.
In User Name, type your name.
In Password, type your password, and then click OK.
Microsoft style (infinitive phrase)
To log on to a database, follow these steps:
On the File menu, click Open Database.
In User Name, type your name.
In Password, type your password, and then click OK.
Microsoft style (imperative mood)
Use the Pencil tool to draw thin, free-form lines or curves:
On the Home tab, in the Tools group, click the Pencil tool.
In the Colors group, click Color 1, click a color, and then drag the pointer in the picture to draw.
Microsoft style (indicative mood)
The basic steps for adding scrolling to your application are as follows:
An unnumbered list consists of one or more columns of list entries, all of which are very short, so no bullets or numbers are required to separate one entry from another. Use an unnumbered list to group similar items, such as a list of keywords. Use a single column for six or fewer items and balanced, multiple columns for seven or more items. In general, if columns are of different lengths, make the left column or columns longer. For example, if a two-column list contains nine one-line items, use five items in the left column and four in the right column. You do not have to capitalize entries. If the list is alphabetical, alphabetize down the columns, not across rows, if possible.
Because there are no page breaks in online content, long multicolumn lists can be difficult to read. In this case, you can alphabetize from left to right (for shorter lists) or sort in labeled alphabetical sections. Alphabetical sections make navigating in long lists of items, such as functions, easier.
Alphabetical sort order often changes when a list is localized, so keep alphabetical lists as simple as possible so that localizers can easily change the alphabetical sort order if necessary.
Microsoft style for unnumbered single-column lists
addprocedure
checkpointrule
errorexitsum
nonclusteredtriggerover
Microsoft style for unnumbered multicolumn lists
Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) | Run-length encoded (RLE) |
Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) | Device-independent bitmap (DIB) |
Macintosh PICT | Windows Enhanced Metafile (EMF) |
Portable Network Graphics (PNG) | Windows Metafile (WMF) |
Windows bitmap (BMP) |
Microsoft style for long unnumbered lists sorted in alphabetical sections
A-C
AscChoose
AtnChr, Chr$
AvgCIntCLng
CcurCodeDB
D-E
Date, Date$ErrError, Error$
DateAddErl
Environ, Environ$EOF
Use term lists, also called term-def lists, for a series of terms, parameters, or similar items that are followed by a brief explanation or definition. You can use one of two formats for a term list:
A term can be listed on its own line, usually in bold type, with the definition indented under it. In this format, the term may use additional character formatting if appropriate.
A term can be listed in italic type, followed by a period, with the definition immediately following it on the same line.
Microsoft style
Computer name
The name by which the local area network identifies a server or workstation. Each computer name on the network must be unique.
Computer name. The name by which the local area network identifies a server or workstation. Each computer name on the network must be unique.
Not Microsoft style
Computer name The name by which the local area network identifies a server or workstation. Each computer name on the network must be unique.
Computer name The name by which the local area network identifies a server or workstation. Each computer name on the network must be unique.
For more information, see also Parallelism (Chapter 1).