Buttons in the GNOME Desktop

This section lists the terms to use when you refer to buttons in the GNOME Desktop.

... button

Definition: A button that you click on to perform an action. This action is usually to display a list of options from which you can choose.
Usage: Normal text rules.
  • Verb Phrase: Click on.
  • Noun: Button. Give directions to the button.
Example: To choose a signal for the window to respond to, click on the button to the right of the Signal field.

arrow button

Definition:

A button that you click on to display more information. Arrow buttons appear in the following locations:

  • Drop-down combination boxes
  • Drop down lists
  • List boxes
  • Scrollbars, at both ends
  • Spin boxes
Usage: Normal text rules.
  • Verb Phrase: Click on.
  • Noun: Arrow button.
Example: To scroll through the list, click on the arrow buttons.
Note: Refer to the buttons on a spin box as arrow buttons. If an arrow button has a function, you can name the button by the function. For example, the History button in the Command Line applet.

color selector button

Definition: A button that you use to choose a color. When you click on a color selector button the color selector dialog is displayed.
Usage:

Normal text rules for the term color selector button. Standard capitalization rules for specific color selector button names.

  • Verb Phrase: Click on.
  • Noun: Button, color selector button. Use the more verbose form where you need to clarify that you are referring to a color selector button.
Tags: Use the guibutton tag with specific color selector button names.
Example: To choose a background color for the panel, click on the Color to use button.

command button

Definition: A button that you use to start an action. Command buttons are always rectangular in shape. Command buttons always have a text label, but the label can also include a graphic.
Usage:

Title capitalization for the command button name.

  • Verb: Click when the button represents a frequently-used command such as OK. Click on when the button represents a GNOME-specific or little-known command.
  • Noun: None. You usually do not need to use a noun to refer to a command button. For example, click OK. If you must use a noun, use button.
Tags: Use the guibutton tag for the command button name.
Example 1: To save your changes and close the dialog, click Close.
Example 2: To delete a translation of a launcher, select the translation then click on the Remove button.

font selector button

Definition: A button that you use to choose a font. When you click on a font selector button the font selector dialog is displayed.
Usage: Normal text rules.
  • Verb Phrase: Click on.
  • Noun: Button, font selector button. Use the more verbose form where you need to clarify that you are referring to a font selector button.
Tags: If you refer to a specific font selector button name, use the guibutton tag for the button name.
Example 1: To choose a font in which to display your gedit documents, click on the Default Font button.
Example 2: To choose a font to in which to display the pronunciation of a word, click on the Pronunciation font selector button.

hide button

Definition: A button that enables you to hide a panel or drawer. You can also use hide buttons to show hidden panels. Hide buttons appear at either end of panels and at one end of open drawers.
Usage: Normal text rules.
  • Verb Phrase: Click on.
  • Noun: Hide button.
Example: Select the Show hide buttons option to display hide buttons on your panels.

icon selector button

Definition: A button that you use to choose an icon. When you click on an icon selector button, the icon selector dialog is displayed.
Tags: If you refer to a specific icon selector button name, use the guibutton tag for the button name.
Usage Normal text rules.
  • Verb Phrase: Click on.
  • Noun: Button, icon selector button. Use the more verbose form where you need to clarify that you are referring to an icon selector button.
Example 1: To choose an icon to represent the application, click on the Icon button.
Example 2: To choose an icon to represent the keyboard map, click on the icon selector button at the right side of the dialog.

Normal Size button

Definition: A button that enables you to change the size of items in a view pane to the normal size. The Normal Size button displays "100%", and appears in the location bar on a Nautilus window.
Usage: Title capitalization for the term Normal Size, all lowercase letters for the term button.
Tags: Use the guibutton tag for the term Normal Size.
Example: To restore the size of items in a view to normal size, click on the Normal Size button.

toggle button

Definition: A button that you use to switch between two states.
Usage:
  • Verb: Select.
  • Noun: Option.
Tags: Use the guibutton tag with the toggle button name.
Example: To show grid lines, select the Visible option.

toolbar button

Definition: A button in an application toolbar. Toolbar buttons are usually shortcuts to functionality that is available in the menus of the application.
Usage: Normal text rules for the term button.
  • Verb Phrase: Click button_name on the toolbar, click on the button_name button.
  • Noun: Button.
Tags: Use the guibutton tag for the toolbar button name.
Example 1: To refresh the contents of the view pane, click on the Reload button.
Example 2: Click Save on the toolbar.

window frame button

Definition: One of the following buttons that reside in a window frame:
  • Window Menu button
  • Minimize button
  • Maximize button
  • Close Window button
Usage:

Normal text rules for the term button.

  • Verb Phrase: Click on.
  • Noun: Button.
Tags: Use the guibutton tag for the window frame button name.
Example: To open the Window Menu, click on the Window Menu button.

window list button

Definition: A button that represents a window in the Window List applet.
Usage:

Normal text rules.

  • Verb Phrase: Click on.
  • Noun: Window list button.
Tags: Prose tag rules.
Example: To restore a window, click on the window list button for the window in the Window List applet.

Zoom In button

Definition: A button that enables you to increase the size of items in a view pane. The Zoom In button displays a plus sign, and appears in the location bar on a Nautilus window.
Usage: Title capitalization for the term Zoom In, all lowercase letters for the term button.
Tags: Use the guibutton tag for the term Zoom In.
Example: To increase the size of items in a view, click on the Zoom In button.

Zoom Out button

Definition: A button that enables you to reduce the size of items in a view pane. The Zoom Out button displays a minus sign, and appears in the location bar on a Nautilus window.
Usage: Title capitalization for the term Zoom Out, all lowercase letters for the term button.
Tags: Use the guibutton tag for the term Zoom Out.
Example: To reduce the size of items in a view, click on the Zoom Out button.

GNOME Desktop TermsUser Actions