---
title: "Terminology"
canonical: "https://documentation.chaos.com/space/DOCSGUIDE/113290573/Terminology"
format: markdown
---
> Macro (floatingpagetoc)

Here are some commonly used terms.


| **Term** | **Use for** |
| --- | --- |
| **Click** | Use it when referring to an item in the UI (e.g. soft keys, list items, push buttons etc.)<br>It's OK to use *click* when you need to describe mouse actions specifically. |
| **Press** | <span style="color: #000000">Use it when referring to a hardware button (physical button on hardware).</span> |


How to use the terms:

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended if practical:** Refresh the page. (note that here refresh is not bold and is not considered a UI element)

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended:** Click **Refresh**.

:cross_mark:** Not recommended:** Click the REFRESH button. (this is unacceptable due to the capitalization)


How to use **Press**:

To refer to a keyboard key, use the key's name. If that's ambiguous, use the form *the KEY_NAME key*.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

 **Recommended: **Press Esc.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

 **Recommended:** Press the Esc key.

Spell out the names of characters that could be confusing in a keyboard shortcut, such as comma, hyphen, period, and plus.

To refer to a keyboard shortcut, use either *keyboard shortcut* or *key combination*.

To refer to pressing a key or combination to cause an action to occur, use the verb *press*. To refer to typing a key or combination as part of text, use the verbs *enter* or *type*.


**Microsoft Terminology**

Note that these terms are specific for MS programs that are mainly web-based, so they may not be applicable for some of our products that exist within the PC’s memory.

Chaos Cloud and Chaos Cosmos are products that are web-based because they can be accessed over a network connection.

| **Verb** | **Use for** | **Examples** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Open** | - Apps and programs<br>- Blades<br>- File Explorer<br>- Files and folders<br>- Shortcut menus<br>- Use for websites and webpages only when necessary to match the UI. Otherwise, use *go to*. | - Open Photos.<br>- Open the Reader app.<br>- Select **Users + groups** to open the blade.<br>- Open the Filename file.<br>- To open the document in Outline view, select **View > Outline**.<br>- In WindowName, open the shortcut menu for ItemName. |
| **Close** | - Apps and programs<br>- Blades<br>- Dialog boxes<br>- Files and folders<br>- Notifications and alerts<br>- Tabs<br>- The action a program or app takes when it encounters a problem and can't continue. (Don't confuse with *stop responding*.) | - Close the Alarms app.<br>- Close Excel.<br>- Close the blade.<br>- Close the **Users + groups** blade.<br>- Save and close the document.<br>- Closing Excel also closes all open worksheets. |
| **Leave** | Websites and webpages | Select **Submit **to complete the survey and leave this page. |
| **Go to** | - Opening a menu.<br>- Going to a tab or another particular place in the UI.<br>- Going to a website or webpage.<br>- It's OK to use *On the* *XXX* *tab* if the instruction is brief and continues immediately. | - Go to Search
  , enter the word **settings**, and then select **Settings**.<br>- Go to **File**, and then select **Close**.<br>- On the ribbon, go to the **Design **tab.<br>- Go to the **Deploy **tab. In the **Configuration **list …<br>- On the **Deploy** tab, in the **Configuration **list …<br>- Go to [Example.com](http://Example.com) to register. |
| **Select** | Instructing the customer to select a specific item, including:<br>- Selecting an option, such as a button.<br>- Selecting a checkbox.<br>- Selecting a value from a list box.<br>- Selecting link text to go to a link.<br>- Selecting an item on a menu or shortcut menu.<br>- Selecting an item from a gallery.<br>- Selecting keys and keyboard shortcuts. (Document keyboard shortcuts only if they're the most likely way the customer will accomplish a task or as an alternative input method, usually in a separate keyboard shortcuts article.) | - Select the **Modify **button.<br>- For **Alignment**, select **Left**.<br>- Select the text, open the shortcut menu, and then select **Font**.<br>- Select **Open** in new tab.<br>- Select the **LinkName **link.<br>- Select **F5**.<br>- Select **Shift+Enter**.<br>- Select **Ctrl+Alt+Delete**. |
| **Select and hold, select and hold (or right-click)** | Use to describe pressing and holding an element in the UI. It's OK to use *right-click* with *select and hold* when the instruction isn't specific to touch devices. | - To flag a message that you want to deal with later, select and hold it, and then select **Set flag**.<br>- Select and hold (or right-click) the Windows taskbar, and then select **Cascade windows**.<br>- Select and hold (or right-click) the **Start**
  button, and then select **Device Manager**. |
| **>** | Use a greater-than symbol (>) to separate sequential steps.  
  
Only use this approach when there's a clear and obvious path through the UI and the selection method is the same for each step. For example, don't mix things that require opening, selecting, and choosing.  
  
Don't bold the greater-than symbol. Include a space before and after the symbol. | Select **Accounts** >** Other accounts **>** Add an account**. |
| **Clear** | Clearing the selection from a checkbox. | Clear the **Header row** checkbox. |
| **Choose** | Choosing an option, based on the customer's preference or desired outcome. | On the **Font **tab, choose the effects you want. |
| **Switch, turn on, turn off** | Turning a toggle key or toggle switch on or off. | - Use the **Caps lock** key to switch from typing capital letters to typing lowercase letters.<br>- To switch between Normal, Outline, and Slide Sorter views, use the buttons on the **View **tab.<br>- To make text and apps easier to see, turn on the toggle under **Turn on high contrast**.<br>- To keep all applied filters, turn on the **Pass all filters** toggle. |
| **Enter** | Instructing the customer to type or otherwise insert a value, or to type or select a value in a combo box. | - In the search box, enter…<br>- In the **Tab stop position** box, enter the location where you want to set the new tab.<br>- In the **Deployment script name** box, enter a name for this script. |
| **Move, drag** | Moving anything from one place to another by dragging, cutting and pasting, or another method. Use for tiles and any open window (including apps, dialog boxes, files, and blades).  
  
Use *move through* to describe moving around on a page, moving through screens or pages in an app, or moving up, down, right, and left in a UI. | - Drag the Filename file to the Foldername folder.<br>- Move the tile to the new section.<br>- Drag the Snipping Tool out of the way, if necessary, and then select the area you want to capture.<br>- If the **Apply Styles** task pane is in your way, just move it. |
| **Zoom, zoom in, zoom out** | Use *zoom,* *zoom in,* and *zoom out* to refer to changing the magnification of the screen or window. | - Zoom in to see more details on the map.<br>- Zoom out to see a larger geographic area on the map.<br>- Zoom in or out to see more or less detail. |


### Formatting Terms

| **Guidance** | **Recommended **:check_mark: | **Not recommended **:cross_mark: |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Use sentence case and appropriate formatting and terminology for all labels. | In the **New Project** window, select the** New Activity** checkbox, and then click **Next**. | In the New Project window, select "New Activity", and then click the "Next" button. |
| When a label is all uppercase, use sentence case. | <span style="color: #202124">Click </span>> Macro (inline-media-image)

<span style="color: #202124"> </span><span style="color: #202124">**Refresh**</span><span style="color: #202124">.</span> | Click **REFRESH**. |
| When referring to multiple labels that are inconsistently cased, use sentence case for all of the labels. | Click **New** **project**, and then click **New activity**. | Click **NEW PROJECT**, and then click **New Activity**. |


### Refer to UI elements

Don't use UI elements as if they were English verbs or nouns. Click [here ](https://developers.google.com/style/ui-elements)for more info.

| **Recommended **:check_mark: | **Not recommended **:cross_mark: |
| --- | --- |
| In the **Name** field, enter an account name. | **Name** the account. |
| To save the settings, click **Save**. | **Save** the settings. |
| In the **Service account ID** field, enter a name.<br>For **Service account ID**, enter a name. | Specify a **Service account ID**. |

It is acceptable to write "Refresh the page." without putting "Refresh" in bold as a UI element.


### Menu bar

In a desktop application, the menu bar appears at the top of the window or at the top of the screen; it's a set of menus (such as **File** or **Edit**), each of which is a set of related commands and/or nested submenus.

To refer to an item in a menu, use the term *command*, not *choice*, *menu item*, or *option*. Exception: if you're documenting how to build an interface, you can use *menu item*.

To refer to a menu, use the form *the ****LABEL_NAME**** menu.*

To tell the reader where to find a command in a menu or submenu, use a phrase like *In the ****File**** menu, select ****Open****.*

**Use angle brackets**

Another option is to use angle brackets (>). If you use angle brackets, follow these guidelines:

In the following example, the text renders as *Select ****View > Tools > Developer Tools***. A screen reader interprets this as *Select View and then Tools and then Developer Tools*.

This notation is useful for abbreviating a longer phrase like *In the ****File**** menu, select ****Open****.* However, this notation applies only to menu items. Don't use it to describe a combination of different UI elements.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended:** Select **MyApp > Preferences**, and then select the **Languages** preference pane.

:cross_mark:** Not recommended:** Select **MyApp** > **Preferences** > **Languages** > **+** > **CSS**.


### Navigation menu

<span style="color: #202124">A </span>navigation menu<span style="color: #202124"> is a control—usually a pane or window—that contains a list of items that the user can click to go to pages in an application or website. Don't use the terms </span>*navigation bar*<span style="color: #202124">, </span>*navigation pane*<span style="color: #202124">, </span>*navigation panel*<span style="color: #202124">, or </span>*navigation window*<span style="color: #202124"> for such a control.</span>


### **Toolbar**

A toolbar is a set of buttons for common user actions. A toolbar button that includes a menu is called a menu button. Refer to the toolbar by name if you think that the user needs help finding a button.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

 Recommended: On the **Dashboard** toolbar, click **Edit**.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

 Recommended: Click **Edit**.


### Buttons and icons

A button initiates an action when clicked (or tapped, in the case of a touchscreen). To refer to a button, use the button's label.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended: **Click **OK**.

:cross_mark:** Not recommended: **Click the "OK" button. (wrong due to the quotation marks and the lack of bold)

An icon is a symbol or image that represents an object or a function. An icon can be a button as well. If the button includes an icon, write the name of the button as shown in the tooltip, and add the button icon immediately before the name.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended: **Click > Macro (inline-external-image)

 **Add**.

:cross_mark:** Not recommended:** Click the > Macro (inline-external-image)

 icon.

Don't use directional language to orient the reader, such as *above*, *below*, or *right-hand side*. <span style="color: #ff0000">Phrases like those don't work well for accessibility or for localization.</span> If a UI element is hard to find, provide a screenshot.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended: **Click > Macro (inline-media-image)

 **Menu**.

:cross_mark:** Not recommended: **In the left-side panel, click the button with three lines.


### Tab

A tab is a navigation element that looks like a file tab. To refer to a tab, use the form *the ****LABEL_NAME**** tab*.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended: **Select **Tools > Options**, and then click the **Edit** tab.


### Text box

A text box is a box that the user can type in. Use *box* and the form *the ****LABEL_NAME**** box*. Format the text that the user types by using the `<code>` element in HTML (i.e. the code block macro).

In Google Cloud documentation, use *field* instead of *box*.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended:** In the **Owner** box, enter your name.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended:** In the **Name** box, enter `wsfc-1`.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended:** In the **Instance** field, specify a value less than 64 characters long.


### Checkbox

A checkbox is a small box that indicates whether an option is on or off. To refer to a checkbox, use the form *the ****LABEL_NAME**** checkbox*. Be wary of using the verbs *check* and *uncheck*, which can be ambiguous; it's often best to use *select* and *clear* instead.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended: **Select the **Automatically check for updates** checkbox.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended:** Clear the **Bookmarks** checkbox.


<span style="color: #202124"> </span>

### Expander arrow

An expander arrow is the UI element used to expand or collapse a section of navigation or content. Avoid referring to these explicitly in documentation, but when you do, use the terms expander arrow and expandable section rather than terms like expando or zippy.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended:** To expand the **Advanced options** section, click the arrow_rightexpander arrow.

:cross_mark:** Not recommended:** To expand the **Advanced options** section, click the zippy.


### Toggle

A toggle is the UI element that switches back and forth between on and off states.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended: **You can toggle Magic Mode in the **Settings **window.

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended:** To enable the setting, click the **Wi-Fi** toggle.


### cloud, the cloud

Don't capitalize cloud except in references to the Chaos Cloud or when it's part of a product name.

Use cloud mostly as an adjective. Use sparingly as a noun—instead of the cloud, talk about cloud computing, cloud services, or a specific service or functionality and what the customer can do with it.


## **Prepositions**

There's no rule against placing a preposition at the end of a sentence. Place the preposition where it makes the most sense and makes the sentence easiest to read. (source is Google docs)

| **Preposition** | **UI element** | **Recommended** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| in | dialogs<br>fields<br>lists<br>menus<br>panes<br>windows | In the **Alert** dialog, click **OK**.<br>In the **Name** field, enter `wsfc-1`.<br>In the **Item** list, select **Desktop**.<br>In the **File** menu, click **Tools**.<br>In the **Metrics** pane, click **New**.<br>In the **Task** window, click **Start**. |
| on | pages<br>tabs<br>toolbars | On the **Create an instance** page, click **Add**.<br>On the **Edit** tab, click **Save**.<br>On the **Dashboard** toolbar, click **Edit**. |


## **How to write procedures**

<span style="color: #202124">For a complete list of procedural terms, see </span><span style="color: #202124">[Google Word List](https://developers.google.com/style/word-list#click)</span><span style="color: #202124">.</span>

<span style="color: #202124">Here are the most commonly used terms in our documentation:</span>


### **abort**

<span style="color: #202124">Avoid in general usage. Instead, use words like </span><span style="color: #202124">*stop*</span><span style="color: #202124">, </span><span style="color: #202124">*exit*</span><span style="color: #202124">, </span><span style="color: #202124">*cancel*</span><span style="color: #202124">, or </span><span style="color: #202124">*end*</span><span style="color: #202124">. In Linux, </span><span style="color: #202124">*abort*</span><span style="color: #202124"> refers to a type of signal that terminates an abnormal process.</span>


### **about vs on**

<span style="color: #202124">When a cross-reference includes information that describes what the cross-reference links to, use </span>*about*<span style="color: #202124"> instead of </span>*on*<span style="color: #202124">.</span>

:check_mark: **Recommended:** For more information about indexes, see <span style="color: #0000ff">Managing indexes</span>.

:cross_mark: **Not recommended: **For more information on indexes, see <span style="color: #0000ff">Managing indexes</span>.


### above

Don't use for a range of version numbers. Instead, use *later*.

Don't use to refer to a position in a document. Instead, use *earlier* or *preceding*.

Don't use to refer to a position in the UI. Instead, write instructions that avoid directional language.

e.g. V-Ray 5 for 3ds Max 2019 and **later**; **earlier** 3ds Max versions only support the **previous** V-Ray VFB.


### access

<span style="color: #202124">Avoid when you can. Instead, use friendlier words like </span>*see*<span style="color: #202124">, </span>*edit*<span style="color: #202124">, </span>*find*<span style="color: #202124">, </span>*use*<span style="color: #202124">, or </span>*view*<span style="color: #202124">.</span>


### allowlist (verb), allowlisted, allowlisting

Don't use as a verb. Instead, rewrite to improve clarity.

OK to use *allowlist* as a noun.


### allows you to

Don't use. Instead, use *lets you*.


### and/or

<span style="color: #202124">Sometimes </span><span style="color: #202124">*and/or*</span><span style="color: #202124"> is the clearest and most efficient way to express something. It's worth considering whether there's a good way to write around it, but it's not worth rewriting so that the text is harder to understand.</span>


### blacklist - never use it

<span style="color: #202124">Don't use </span><span style="color: #202124">*blacklist*</span><span style="color: #202124">, </span><span style="color: #202124">*whitelist*</span><span style="color: #202124">, and </span><span style="color: #202124">*graylist*</span><span style="color: #202124">. Don't use terms such as </span><span style="color: #202124">*master*</span><span style="color: #202124"> and </span><span style="color: #202124">*slave*</span><span style="color: #202124">. Instead, use more precise terms that are appropriate for your domain.</span>

- For the noun *blacklist*, consider using a replacement such as *denylist*, *excludelist*, or *blocklist*.
- For the noun *whitelist*, consider using a replacement such as *allowlist*, *trustlist*, or *safelist*.
- For the noun *graylist* (*greylist*), consider using a replacement such as *provisional list*.
- For *master* and *slave*, try an alternative such as render server and render client.

<span style="color: #202124">In all of these cases, consider that there might not actually be a list involved. When replacing problematic terms, be sure to be technically accurate for the specific context.</span>

<span style="color: #202124">For the verb forms of these words, a simple word-for-word replacement is typically not the best solution. Instead, replace verbs such as </span><span style="color: #202124">*blacklisted*</span><span style="color: #202124"> with phrases that accurately convey the relevant action. For example:</span>

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended:**<span style="color: #202124"> To deny requests from an IP address, add it to the </span>`dos.yaml`<span style="color: #202124"> file.</span>

:cross_mark:** Not recommended: **To denylist an IP address, add it to the dos.yaml file.

:cross_mark:** Don't use: **To blacklist an IP address, add it to the dos.yaml file.


### click, not click on or click here

When the environment is a desktop with a mouse, use <span style="color: #202124">*click*</span><span style="color: #202124"> for most targets, such as buttons, links, list items, and radio buttons.</span>

<span style="color: #202124"> </span>:check_mark:** Recommended: **Click **OK**.

:cross_mark:** Not recommended:** Click on **OK**.

<span style="color: #202124">Hyphenate </span><span style="color: #202124">*right-click*</span><span style="color: #202124">, </span><span style="color: #202124">*left-click*</span><span style="color: #202124">, and </span><span style="color: #202124">*double-click*</span><span style="color: #202124">.</span>

<span style="color: #202124">When a click or tap action reveals a collapsed list, you can write </span><span style="color: #202124">*click to expand*</span><span style="color: #202124"> or simply </span><span style="color: #202124">*expand*</span><span style="color: #202124">.</span>

<span style="color: #202124">It's okay to write </span><span style="color: #202124">*click in*</span><span style="color: #202124"> when referring to a region that needs focus (for example: </span><span style="color: #202124">*click in the window*</span><span style="color: #202124">), but not when referring to a control or a link.</span>


### drag

<span style="color: #202124">Use </span><span style="color: #202124">*drag*</span><span style="color: #202124">, not </span><span style="color: #202124">*click and drag*</span><span style="color: #202124"> and not </span><span style="color: #202124">*drag and drop*</span><span style="color: #202124">, although you can use </span><span style="color: #202124">*drag-and-drop*</span><span style="color: #202124"> as an adjective.</span>

:check_mark:<span style="color: #202124"> </span><span style="color: #202124">**Recommended: **</span><span style="color: #202124">Drag the USER to the </span><span style="color: #202124">**Authorized**</span><span style="color: #202124"> box.</span>


### dropdown

<span style="color: #202124">Preferably use dropdown menu or dropdown list (dropdown as an adjective). Avoid using just dropdown/drop-down as a noun, e.g. p</span>ick from the options in the dropdown list, or use the dropdown menu to find the category you want.

In our documentation, we write dropdown without a hyphen.


### hold the pointer over

Only use this verb phrase in the following cases:

- <span style="color: #202124"> </span>When the user needs to hold their mouse over a UI element, but not click the UI element. This action involves waiting for the UI to react—for example, waiting for a tooltip to open or waiting for a submenu to open.
- When the duration of time is important.

<span style="color: #202124">The phrase </span>*point to*<span style="color: #202124"> is more common.</span>

:check_mark:** Recommended: **In the **Admin **menu, hold the pointer over **File**, and then click **New**.

:cross_mark:** Not recommended:** In the **Admin** menu, hover over **File**, and then click **New**.


### **press**

<span style="color: #202124">Use when referring to pressing a key or a key combination to cause an action to occur. Also use for mechanical buttons. Use </span><span style="color: #202124">*tap*</span><span style="color: #202124"> for on-screen and soft (capacitive) buttons.</span>

> Macro (inline-media-image)

** Recommended: **Press <span style="color: #202124">Control+C (or Command+C on Mac).</span>


## **Clause Order for Procedures**

If you want to tell the reader to do something, try to mention the circumstance or goal before you provide the instruction. Mentioning the circumstance first lets the reader skip the instruction if it doesn't apply.

| :check_mark:** Recommended** | :cross_mark:** Not recommended** |
| --- | --- |
| For more information, see [link to other document]. | See [link to other document] for more information. |
| To delete the entire document, click **Delete**. | Click **Delete** if you want to delete the entire document. |
| If your app is located in one of the following regions, using custom domains might add noticeable latency to responses: | Using custom domains might add noticeable latency to responses if your app is located in one of the following regions: |




### Useful links

Google tech guide: <span style="color: #1155cc">[https://developers.google.com/style/ui-elements](https://developers.google.com/style/ui-elements)</span>

Click vs Press: <span style="color: #1155cc">[https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/styleguide/tw/select_choose_click_press.html](https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/styleguide/tw/select_choose_click_press.html)</span>

MS tech guide: <span style="color: #1155cc">[https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/a-z-word-list-term-collections/c/click](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/a-z-word-list-term-collections/c/click)</span>

MS terminology search: <span style="color: #1155cc">[https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/search/?terms=click%20vs%20press&scope=Style%20guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/search/?terms=click%20vs%20press&scope=Style%20guide)</span>

MS UI interactions guide: <span style="color: #1155cc">[https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/procedures-instructions/describing-interactions-with-ui](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/procedures-instructions/describing-interactions-with-ui)</span>

MS: [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/uxguide/designprinciples](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/uxguide/designprinciples)  

Windows tech guide: <span style="color: #1155cc">[https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2009/07/14/press-click-select-or-choose/](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2009/07/14/press-click-select-or-choose/)</span>