[ Previous |
Next |
Contents |
Glossary |
Home |
Search ]
Motif and CDE 2.1 Style Guide Reference
Label
Reference
Description
A label includes the following:
LabelIs a noneditable element that contains text or a graphic that identifies a
control or provides additional information about the control. Labels can also
be names that identify objects.
Static text (control)Is a textual label that can take focus and to which a user can navigate by
using control navigation.
Figure 38 is an example of a label.
Figure 38. Label.
When to Use
RecommendedUse a label to provide additional information or to explain the function
of a control or group of controls. For example, use a label to describe the
required date format for a text field that will contain a date.
RecommendedProvide a label for each tab group unless the window contains only one tab
group and the window title serves as the label.
RecommendedProvide a label for each text field unless the fields appear in rows or
columns and associated row or column headings serve as the labels.
Guidelines
If a label contains a significant amount of text and the user is likely to
want to use it as a data transfer source, provide a means for both mouse and
keyboard users to do so.
RequiredDo not treat a static text control as a tab group.
RequiredDo not support internal navigation or selection within a static text
control.
RequiredIf an element contains a choice described by a textual label, place the
label within the element (for example, a push button or radio button) unless
some other textual information needs to be placed there (for example, an
option menu button).
RecommendedIf you provide a label to describe a control and it cannot be placed
within the control, place it to the left or above the control. For information
on bidirectional and vertical language support, see Chapter
11.
RecommendedIf you provide a label as a name of an object, place it below the object.
If the object is a small icon, place it to the right of the object. For
information on bidirectional and vertical language support, see Chapter
11.
RecommendedIf you provide a label to indicate the type of information or descriptive
information about an element, place it to the right of the element. For
information on bidirectional and vertical language support, see Chapter
11.
RecommendedWhen you provide a label for a group of controls in a column, place the
label so that it cannot be confused with a column heading.
RecommendedIf a label is displayed above a text field, align the label with the left
edge of the field. For information on bidirectional and vertical language
support, see Chapter
11.
RecommendedFor controls that support more than one selection model, and if it is
unclear from the context that this is the case, use a label to provide
information about the selection model currently supported. For example,
provide a label for a list box that uses multiple selection that indicates
that an item can be selected or deselected by clicking on it.
OptionalIn high-volume data-entry windows, consider using right-aligned edges of
labels next to left-aligned text fields. This leaves a narrow vertical column
of space between the labels and their associated text fields to allow a user
to quickly scan the choices in the window. For information on bidirectional
and vertical language support, see Chapter
11.
RequiredIf a label supports direct editing, support quick transfer to transfer the
range of text identified by the quick transfer operation.
OptionalIf a label does not support direct editing, allow a quick transfer
beginning and ending in the label or field to use the entire contents of the
label or field as its source.
RecommendedMake labels visually less important than the data to which they refer,
through color, size, typeface, or a combination.
RecommendedCapitalize the first letter of the first and last words of a label and all
other words except articles, coordinating conjunctions, prepositions, and the
"to" in infinitives.
Supplemental Related Topics
For more information, see the Control, Group Heading (Label Type), and
Selection Models reference pages.
[ Previous |
Next |
Contents |
Glossary |
Home |
Search ]
