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Motif and CDE 2.1 Style Guide Reference

Direct Editing

Reference

Description

Direct editing is a mode of interaction in which the contents of a normally noneditable textual label is made available for editing.

When to Use

Recommended
Support a direct editing mode if the user wants to modify a textual label.

Recommended
Support direct editing of any label that names a selectable element.

Guidelines

Recommended
While in direct editing mode, show focus emphasis on the label being edited.

Recommended
Treat the textual label as a text-entry field when operating on it in direct editing mode.

Required
If direct editing mode is supported for a textual label, enter the mode when the user clicks the SELECT button on the label or when the user double-clicks the SELECT button, if (single) clicking the SELECT button is already used for some other purpose (for example, margin selection).

Required
If direct editing mode is supported for a textual label, provide some means for keyboard users to edit the label as well (for example, by choosing an action from a menu that displays a window in which such labels can be edited via a text-entry field).

Required
Use a persistent selection to select the entire text of the label when entering direct editing mode.

Recommended
If you support direct editing of a label that names a selectable element, associate a pop-up menu with the element, include a Properties choice in the pop-up menu, and include a text-entry field in the properties window through which the label can be changed.

Recommended
When focus is on a static text control, provide a means to enter direct editing mode from the keyboard, for example, by including a Rename choice on a pop-up menu that initiates direct editing.

Required
Exit from direct editing mode when the user presses Enter or keypadEnter.

Required
Exit from direct editing mode and undo any changes made to the text being edited when the user presses Cancel.

Required
When the user exits from direct editing mode, deselect the text in the label.

Required
When the user exits from direct editing mode without explicitly moving focus elsewhere, and the focus remains in the window or is moved back to it, place the active cursor as follows:

  1. If a static text control is being directly edited, place the active cursor on it.

  2. If the label being directly edited is associated with all or part of another element (for example, an icon) that can be cursored with an element cursor, move the active cursor to that element.

  3. If the label being directly edited is a group heading, navigate to the group.

  4. If none of the previous statements apply, the active cursor should return to where it was before entering direct editing mode.

    5. Required
    During direct editing, mouse buttons have their usual effect, and all operations on other controls except those that transfer data to the label cause direct editing mode to exit.

    Required
    During direct editing, keyboard-based window navigation should exit from direct editing mode and move focus to the window indicated.

    Required
    During direct editing, control navigation should not be supported.

    Required
    During direct editing, tab-group navigation should exit from direct editing mode and allow navigation elsewhere, but only in the following cases:

    1. When a static text control is being directly edited, tab group navigation should allow navigation in the same way as when the control ordinarily has focus.

    2. If the label being directly edited is associated with all or part of another element (for example, an icon) that can be cursored with an element cursor, tab navigation should tab away from that element.

    3. If the label being directly edited is a group heading, allow tab navigation to tab away from the group.

      4. Essential Related Topics

      For more information, see the Label and Selection reference pages.

      Supplemental Related Topics

      For more information, see the Choice, Push Button (Control), and Text-Entry Field (Control) reference pages.

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