The Windows Interface
A Summary of GUI Guidelines

Mouse Button 1 (by default the left button) is the selection button. Button 1 is used for most mouse actions Mouse Button 2 (by default the right button) evokes context-specific actions and options. Additional buttons may be supported.

Common usage of mouse operations using Button 1 are as follows.

Pressing down the button "proposes" a mouse action. Releasing the button confirms the action. There are exceptions (e.g., pressing the button when the pointer is over the scroll arrow initiates scrolling).

Note: Please see the Microsoft Design Guide for a detailed discussion of mouse operations.

Mouse operations should not require extraordinary hand-eye coordination. Objects should be large enough to point at and click on without extraordinarily precise positioning. `A "hot zone" around an object also facilitates manipulation. Double-clicks and double-drags may be difficult for some users; provide alternatives to these manipulations. Unless the application is a game, do not require the user to point at a moving object.

Please see the Microsoft Design Guide for a discussion of text and editing keys.

A toggle key turns the mode assigned to it on and off with each click. Toggle keys include ins, caps lock, num lock, scroll lock, f8, shift+f8. Please see the Microsoft Design Guide for a description of the function of each.

A modifier key establishes a mode while the key remains depressed. The user must actively maintain the mode. Please see the Microsoft Design Guide for a description of the typical function of each.

Navigation keys move the cursor. A navigation key modified by ctrl, increases the increment of the move by the unmodified navigation key.

The actions of navigation keys are as follows.

Note: Please see the Microsoft Design Guide for details.

Shortcut keys and key combinations provide rapid access to frequently performed operations. Function keys and ctrl+letter combinations are commonly used as shortcuts. alt+function key combinations (except alt+f4, alt+f6) may also be used. Do not use atl+letter combinations; these combinations are reserved for keyboard access to menus and controls. Do not use alt+tab, alt+esc, alt+spacebar; these combinations are reserved for system use.

Recommended shortcut function key assignments are as follow.

Recommended shortcut ctrl+letter assignments are as follows.

Suggested shortcut ctrl+letter assignments are as follows.

Assign single keys for small-scale tasks that are frequently performed. Assign shift+key combinations for extended actions or actions complementary to the key or key combination used without shift.