UI text that refers to UI labels/controls - Correct Style?
- Hello,
My question is slightly outside the realm of this forum, but it's the closest.
What is the correct usage and format when referring to a UI control label?
Do I bold (or not) the name of the control in the UI string? For instance, say I have a control label called "Settings." In the UI text that describes the procedure that involves the control, do I write:
"To configure your system, click Settings."
or
"To configure your system, click Settings."
In XP the UI procedure text that refers to the control is not bold. Is there a style for Vista? Again, keep in mind that I'm not asking about the control label style, but the UI procedure string that refers to the control.
Thanks.
Answers
Yes, the style in Windows Vista is to use bold. Here's an example guideline for check boxes:
Documentation
When referring to check boxes:
- ...
- When possible, format the label using bold text.
Example: Select the Underline check box.
This is from http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/?url=/library/en-us/UxGuide/UXGuide/Controls/CheckBoxes.asp?frame=true#documentation.
The reason for this change is that many control labels are longer than in XP, making such instructions otherwise hard to parse.
All Replies
Yes, the style in Windows Vista is to use bold. Here's an example guideline for check boxes:
Documentation
When referring to check boxes:
- ...
- When possible, format the label using bold text.
Example: Select the Underline check box.
This is from http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/?url=/library/en-us/UxGuide/UXGuide/Controls/CheckBoxes.asp?frame=true#documentation.
The reason for this change is that many control labels are longer than in XP, making such instructions otherwise hard to parse.
- Thanks so much for your response, Everett. This is the information I was looking for.
