Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
== Purpose == | == Purpose == | ||
− | A ''menu bar'' appears at the top of the main window and provides access to all commands and most of the settings available in an application. It contains of a list of functions or options (respectively menu items), submenus or cascading menus that is a secondary menu displayed on demand from within a menu, and separators to organize the content for easy | + | A ''menu bar'' appears at the top of the main window and provides access to all commands and most of the settings available in an application. It contains of a list of functions or options (respectively menu items), submenus or cascading menus that is a secondary menu displayed on demand from within a menu, and separators to organize the content for easy recognition. |
Users refer frequently to the menu bar, especially when they are seeking a function for which they know of no other interface. Ensuring that menus are well organized, are worded clearly, and behave correctly is crucial to the user’s ability to explore and access the functionality of the application. | Users refer frequently to the menu bar, especially when they are seeking a function for which they know of no other interface. Ensuring that menus are well organized, are worded clearly, and behave correctly is crucial to the user’s ability to explore and access the functionality of the application. | ||
Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
* Use standard items for categories: File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Tools, Settings, Window, Help. | * Use standard items for categories: File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Tools, Settings, Window, Help. | ||
* If an application does not have options under one of the standard menu items, do not include it in the menu. At the minimum, all windows should have a File (or File equivalent, such as in the case if Konqueror and Amarok) and Help menu. | * If an application does not have options under one of the standard menu items, do not include it in the menu. At the minimum, all windows should have a File (or File equivalent, such as in the case if Konqueror and Amarok) and Help menu. | ||
− | * Do not make the menu bar | + | * Do not make the menu bar hideable, users may not easily be able to make the menu bar viewable again. |
* Do not change labels of menu item dynamically. | * Do not change labels of menu item dynamically. | ||
A menu bar appears at the top of the main window and provides access to all commands and most of the settings available in an application. It contains of a list of functions or options (respectively menu items), submenus or cascading menus that is a secondary menu displayed on demand from within a menu, and separators to organize the content for easy recognition.
Users refer frequently to the menu bar, especially when they are seeking a function for which they know of no other interface. Ensuring that menus are well organized, are worded clearly, and behave correctly is crucial to the user’s ability to explore and access the functionality of the application.