The guidelines for the placement of controls in a window.
[ Guidelines
| Essential Related
Topics | Supplemental
Related Topics ]
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Design the initial size and layout of an action window so that a user will not need to scroll the window. |
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Within a column of controls, left-align the edges of the controls to the right of the longest field prompt. |
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If the contents of a window can be scaled when the window is sized, provide a user option to specify whether to scale or clip the contents. |
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Place push buttons that affect the entire window horizontally at the bottom of the window and justified from the right edge. |
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Avoid placing push buttons in more than two rows. |
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If the action indicated by the label on a push button adjusts or is associated with a component within the same window as the push button, place the push button near that component. For example, if the function of a push button is to restore the initial value in an entry field, place that push button beside the entry field that it affects. |
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Avoid using a push button to change the size of a window; instead, allow a user to change the size of the window using the size borders and the maximize push button or Maximize choice. For example, do not provide a push button labeled More>> to allow a user to enlarge a window. |
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Use a Tab to organize groups of controls when they will not fit in a single window. Avoid placing related controls in separate windows connected by routing choices on push buttons. |
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In high-volume data-entry windows, consider using right-aligned edges of field prompts next to left-aligned entry fields so that a narrow vertical column of space is left between the field prompts and their associated entry fields to allow a user to quickly scan the choices in the window. |
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Allow a user to adjust the size of each column in a window, where appropriate. For example, provide column borders that a user can directly manipulate to change the size of columns. |
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If a user cannot adjust the width of a column or scroll the column, make the column at least as wide as the widest item in the column or as wide as the column's heading, whichever is wider. |
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If a user can adjust the width of a column, make the initial width of the column wide enough to display choices of average width. |
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If the order of columns can be changed, allow a user to directly manipulate each column. For example, allow a user to drag column headings to change the order of columns. |
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If you provide an information area, place it at the bottom of a window. |
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If you provide an information area and there is a horizontal scroll bar in the window, place the information area below the scroll bar and above the window border. |
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If you provide a status area, place it below the title bar and below the menu bar, if a menu bar is provided, and above the rest of the window. For example, place a status area below the menu bar and above column headings in a window. |
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Copyright ©. 1991-1999 Interfaced Systems International Inc. Last modified: Saturday, March 20, 1999 11:42:54 PM EST