Punctuation
The following table shows standard rules of punctuation for user interface controls.
| Colon (:) |
- In most cases, labels for controls such as text boxes, drop-down lists, progress bars, and spin boxes end with a colon.
- Do not end the label with a colon when the text box or drop-down list is embedded in a sentence or when the drop-down list appears in a main window.
|
| Comma (,) |
- In a series of three or more controls, separate the controls with commas.
|
| Ellipsis (...) |
- Use an ellipsis at the end of a menu command and at the end of a button command that opens another dialog box instead of performing an action.
- Use an ellipsis in a progress bar label to indicate a continuing action.
|
| End punctuation (. ? !) |
- Use ending punctuation only in instructional text.
- Add only one space after ending punctuation to separate sentences.
|
See Also
User Interface Controls
User Interface Text
Last updated on Friday, April 22, 2005
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Send feedback on this topic to the authors.