Property Sheets: UI Text Guidelines

A property sheet displays object properties that the user can view (and possibly edit).

Do not use the term “property page” in the UI. Instead use “tab.”
In the title bar, include the name of the object in title caps, followed by the word “Properties” (for example, “Recycle Bin Properties”).
Assign the Apply command button the standard access key A. OK and Cancel do not take access keys because they map to ENTER and ESC, respectively.
On all tabs except the General tab, you can use an introductory sentence or two to explain the purpose of the tab, any issues the user should be aware of before making changes, definitions of new terms, etc. Use complete sentences ending with a period. For example, “You can take ownership of an object if you have the appropriate permissions.” Or, “The following SMS sites currently manage your computer.”
Do not use the imperative mood on property sheets. Because users might want to simply view settings, you do not want to prompt them to change settings.
Avoid large blocks of text.
Be sure to provide enough room for the text to expand 30 percent during localization.

See Also