Recently our Human Factors group had a brief discussion of ellipsis in command buttons and links. Two questions don't let me sleep ever since: 1. Do people notice ellipsis? 2. If people do notice them, do ellipsis ever stop them?
Anyone knows the answers? Any research etc. By the way, we have decided to get rid of ellipsis in action labels entirely. We still use them when text is cut off due to width constraints (for example datagrid column labels). Thanks, Oleh Kovalchuke (816) 808-6177 On Sun, Feb 14, 2010 at 8:28 PM, sysscore <m...@sysscore.com> wrote: > i have a question about when i should use ellipsis for commands in > menus, contextual menus and buttons in desktop applications (in > Java). > > Sadly, the guidelines of microsoft and mac osx are different about > this topic. > I have found some interesting links in the web but nothing could > answer my questions... > > **** > > Microsoft writtes, that ellipsis should be used, when: > > "Proper use of ellipses is important to indicate that users can make > further choices before performing the action, or even cancel the > action entirely. The visual cue offered by an ellipsis allows users > to explore your software without fear. > > This doesn't mean you should use an ellipsis whenever an action > displays another window—only when additional information is required > to perform the action. For example, the commands About, Advanced, > Help, Options, Properties, and Settings must display another window > when clicked, but don't require additional information from the > user. Therefore they don't need ellipses. > > In case of ambiguity (for example, the command label lacks a verb), > decide based on the most likely user action. If simply viewing the > window is a common action, don't use an ellipsis." > > *** > > Macintosh writtes, that ellipsis should be used, when the action: > > Is performed by the user in a separate window or dialog. > > For example, Preferences, Customize Toolbar, and Send Feedback all > use an ellipsis because they open a window (potentially in another > application, such as a browser) or a dialog in which the user sets > preferences, customizes the toolbar, or sends feedback. > > To see why such commands must include an ellipsis, consider that the > absence of an ellipsis implies that the application performs the > action for the user. If, for example, the Send Feedback command did > not include an ellipsis, it would imply that feedback is generated > and sent automatically by the application. > > *** > > I think, the rules of mac osx are very easy to understand. But the > rules of microsoft are not. Furthermore, when i check up some > microsoft products, the rules are not respected (e.g. the "Options" > button). > > In our application we have for example a non modal dialog, in which > items can be locked or unlocked. The problem is, the user does not > need to be perform the command immediately. But if i named the menu > command "Lock/unlock items" the ellipsis are required, because user > could be expected, that the command will be executed immediately. > In other dialogs, user can managed diefferent presets of specific > settings. > > Should i don't use ellipsis only if the command name is > non-ambiguous e.g. "Permission overview" or only information will > be displayed? > Should i use ellipsis, if the user can make some changes (immediately > or not immediately)? > Or must commands named without the verb of the action? > > > Thanx > > > ________________________________________________________________ > Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! > To post to this list ....... disc...@ixda.org > Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe > List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines > List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help > ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
