Projects/Usability/HIG/Command Link

The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

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.

Implementation