Projects/Usability/HIG/Command Link
Purpose
A command link is an area containing icon and text that is used to initiate an action.
It is primarily designed to streamline Wizard-like interfaces and to select from a set of mutually exclusive, related choices. Complementary to command buttons, command links are used for navigation to other places. Links behave similar to buttons but have always a clean, lightweight appearance without stimulative nature.
Example
Guidelines
Is this the right control
- Use command links for a set of mutually exclusive responses like navigation from hub to spoke pages.
- Do not present single command links.
- Consider to use a push button for single commands or if the action does not contain navigation.
Behavior
- Provide feedback when result is not aware to user or not available instantaneous. Display a busy pointer or present a progress bar to users.
- Do not mix command links and command buttons at one place.
Appearance
- Command links are flat.
- Use standard theme color for links.
- Always apply an icon to command links.
- Icons should have a size of 48x48 pixels.
- Choose a concise, self-explanatory label that clearly communicates and differentiates what the command link does.
- Do not use ellipsis.