Projects/Usability/HIG/StatusBar: Difference between revisions

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    == Purpose ==
    == Purpose ==
    A ''status bar'' is an area at the bottom of a primary window that displays information about the current window's state, background tasks, or other contextual information.
    A ''status bar'' is an area at the bottom of a primary window that displays information about the current window's state, background tasks, or other contextual information.
    The status bar ‘frames’ the form and, thereby, has a white-space function which is part of the operating system or desktop environment branding . Because secondary forms like dialog boxes must not use a status bar it denotes a form as primary window too.


    == Examples ==
    == Examples ==

    Revision as of 10:30, 4 November 2013


    Purpose

    A status bar is an area at the bottom of a primary window that displays information about the current window's state, background tasks, or other contextual information.

    The status bar ‘frames’ the form and, thereby, has a white-space function which is part of the operating system or desktop environment branding . Because secondary forms like dialog boxes must not use a status bar it denotes a form as primary window too.

    Examples

    Guidelines

    Is this the right control

    • Provide a status bar in the main window of every standard application.
    • Do not display a status bar in secondary or internal windows.

    Behavior

    • Do not use status bars for crucial information. Users should never have to know what is in the status bar. Otherwise consider to use tool-tips or a message panel.
    • Do not use the status bar to display advisory messages in place of standard tool-tips.
    • Consider to make status bar areas interactive, e.g. with a slider to zoom content. The interaction with controls placed within the status bar is a convenience feature and must not be the only way to execute an action.
    • Do not hide the status bars by default. If configurable, users should easily be able to make it viewable again.

    Appearance

    • When different information are shown the content of a status bar should be structured in panels.
    • Keep the status bar plain; do not add icons.

    Implementation