Question dialogs (using buttons)
Ask users a single question, and provide simple responses in horizontally arranged command buttons.
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In this example, Windows® Internet Explorer® asks if the user wants to open or save a file.
Type: Modal.
Main instruction: The question being asked (could be phrased as an instruction).
Icon: Program, feature, object, warning icon (if potential loss of data or system access), security warning, or none.
Commit buttons: One of the following sets of concise commands: Yes/No, Yes/No/Cancel, [Do it]/Cancel, [Do it]/[Don't do it], [Do it]/[Don't do it]/Cancel, where [Do it] and [Don't do it] are specific responses to the main instruction.
Other controls: There may be supplemental explanations to help users make informed decisions, a chevron control to show more information, and a Don't show this <item> again option if the question can be suppressed in the future.
Annoyance factor: High, if default response can be safely assumed, there really isn't a choice, or the differences among the choices aren't clear.
While confirmations are presented as questions, they are covered specifically in Confirmations.
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Question dialogs (using command links)
Ask users a single question or to select a task to perform, and provide detailed responses in vertically arranged command links.
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In this example, Windows asks the user to install a device. Using command links instead of command buttons allows for more complete responses.
In contrast to the version with command buttons, these dialogs may have several responses or responses that require more text to describe.
Type: Modal.
Main instruction: The question being asked (could be phrased as an instruction).
Icon: Program, feature, object, warning icon (if potential loss of data or system access), security warning, or none.
Command links: Two or more complete, specific responses to the main instruction.
Commit buttons: Cancel.
Other controls: There may be supplemental explanations to help users make informed decisions, and a chevron to show more information.
Annoyance factor: High, if default response can be safely assumed, there really isn't a choice, or the differences among the choices aren't clear.
While confirmations are presented as questions, they are covered specifically in Confirmations.
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Choice dialogs
Presents users with a set of choices, usually to specify a command more completely. Unlike question dialogs, choice dialogs can ask multiple questions.
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In this example, Microsoft Word presents options to specify the Insert Break command in a modal dialog box.
In this example, Word presents options to specify the Find and Replace command in a modeless dialog box.
In this example, Microsoft Outlook® presents options to specify the Find command in a task pane. By not using a separate window, the command feels more direct and contextual.
Type: Modal, modeless, and task pane.
Main instruction: An optional imperative instruction that tells users what to do.
Icon: None.
Commit buttons: One of the following:
- Modal dialogs: OK/Cancel or [Do it]/Cancel, where [Do it] is a specific response to the main instruction.
- Modeless dialogs: Close button on dialog box and title bar.
- Task pane: Close button on title bar.
Other controls: There may be supplemental explanations to help users make choices, and a chevron to show infrequently used options.
Annoyance factor: Normally low, because user initiated and needs a response, but could be high if users rarely change default values.
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Progress dialogs
Presents users with progress feedback during a lengthy operation (longer than five seconds), along with a command to cancel or stop the operation.
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If the operation is a long-running task (over 30 seconds) and can be performed in the background, use a modeless progress dialog so that users can continue to use your program while waiting.
In this example, a modeless progress dialog box is used provide feedback while users continue to use the program.
Type: Modal and modeless.
Main instruction: A gerund phrase briefly explaining the operation in progress, ending with an ellipsis. Example: Downloading...
Icon: None (but may have an animation).
Commit buttons: Use Cancel if returns the environment to its previous state (leaving no side effect); otherwise, use Stop.
Annoyance factor: Low, if user needs to know when operation is complete, but high if unnecessarily modal or operation isn't significant.
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Informational dialogs
Display information requested by the user.
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In this example, Word uses a modal dialog box to display word count information.
Type: Modal.
Main instruction: A sentence that describes the information.
Icon: None.
Commit buttons: Close
Other controls: There may be a chevron to show more information.
Annoyance factor: Low, if information is relevant and requested by the user.
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