Check Box (Control)

A control used to display a settings choice that has two clearly distinguishable states, for example, on and off. Check boxes are typically used in a group to provide a multiple-choice field.

[ Guidelines | Essential Related Topics | Supplemental Related Topics ]

When To Use

	Use a check box to display an individual settings choice that can be set to on or off.
	Use a group of check boxes for settings choices that are not mutually exclusive and can each be set to on or off.
	Use a check box only if a user will clearly understand the meaning of the choice when it is selected or not selected. For example, use a check box for a choice labeled Locked. A user can clearly understand that when the check box is selected, the associated object is locked, and when the check box is not selected, the associated object is not locked. Otherwise, use a control that clearly identifies the two choices, such as two radio buttons.

Guidelines

	Display a check box to the left of its associated choice text.
	Arrange the check boxes in a group, in rows or columns, or both.
	If a check box choice is currently unavailable, display it with unavailable-state emphasis.
	When a user selects a check box from a group of check boxes, do not change the state of any other check boxes within the group.
	When a check box represents a setting shared by more than one selected object: Display a mark in the check box if all of the selected objects have that setting turned on. For example, if two selected objects are both locked, display a mark in the Locked check box. Fill the box with shading if some, but not all, of the selected objects have that setting turned on. For example, if only one of two selected objects is locked, fill the Locked check box with shading. Do not display anything in the box if none of the selected objects has that setting turned on. For example, if neither of two selected objects is locked, leave the Locked check box empty.
	Assign a mnemonic to each check box choice unless the check box is created dynamically.
	If a check box has a mnemonic assigned to it, provide access to the mnemonic by allowing a user to press the Alt key and that mnemonic.
	Capitalize the first letter of each word of a label of a check box choice unless the label contains an abbreviation, acronym, or proper noun that should be capitalized

Essential Related Topics

• Control

Supplemental Related Topics

• Choice
• Mnemonic
• Window Layout

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Copyright ©. 1991-1999 Interfaced Systems International Inc. Last modified: Saturday, March 20, 1999 11:43:09 PM EST