Capitalization 

  • Article

Correct capitalization helps readers identify important words and breaks in text. Two styles of capitalization appear in user interfaces: title caps (also referred to as book title capitalization) and sentence caps (also known as sentence-style capitalization).

Title Caps

Capitalize the first letter of the first and last words. Capitalize the first letter of all words in between, with the exception of articles (a, an, and the); coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet); and prepositions of four letters or fewer (at, for, with, into, etc.).

Examples

Insert Object

Go To

Always on Top

By Name

Use title caps for:

  • Button names
  • Column headings
  • Command button labels
  • Floating toolbars
  • Icon labels
  • Menu names and menu commands
  • Palette titles
  • Tab titles
  • Title bar text
  • Toolbars and toolbar button labels
  • ToolTips
  • Web and Web-like page titles
  • Web and Web-like navigational elements (unless prohibited by the page design)

Sentence Caps

Capitalize only the first letter of the first word, and capitalize only those other words that are normally capitalized in sentences, such as proper nouns.

Examples

Working folder

Print to

Use PostScript driver

Use sentence caps for:

  • Alternate text (ALT text) used to describe images
  • Check box labels
  • Dialog box introductory or explanatory text
  • File names
  • Group box labels
  • InfoTips
  • List box entries
  • List box labels
  • Messages
  • Option (radio) button labels
  • Status bar tips
  • Text box labels

Quick Reference

You can print this at-a-glance reference that demonstrates when and where to capitalize in the UI.

Art Image

See Also

Concepts

Abbreviations/Acronyms
Title Bars