Documentation/Dashboard/Word List for User Guides

The standard words and phrases used in the OpenOffice.org 3.x user guides are given in the table below.

Words & phrases	Comments & examples of use
back up	Verb.
backup	Noun, adjective.
button	A clickable control with words on it. Examples: OK, Apply. The term button itself is usually not necessary in text; the words alone are usually enough. Contrast with icon.
checkbox	One word, not two. Use the term option when possible.
choose	Use with menu items. Example: Choose File > Save As from the menu bar.
click	Use with buttons or icons. Examples: Click OK. Click the Save icon.
data	Collective noun, used with singular verb.
database	One word, not two.
dialog box	Do not italicize or bold the names of dialog boxes.
double-click	Hyphenated.
drop down	Verb.
drop-down	Adjective.
e-mail	With a hyphen, as used in OOo UI.
file name	Two words.
file type	Two words.
icon	A clickable control with a picture on it. (The tooltip for an icon shows words.) The term icon is usually required in the text for clarity. Contrast with button.
menu bar	Two words.
OpenDocument	One word; note capital D.
OpenOffice.org	Not OpenOffice or Open Office.
OOo	No punctuation.
pop up	Verb.
pop-up	Adjective.
PostScript	Note capital S.
press	Use with keyboard keys. Example: Press Enter.
program	Not programme.
right-click	Hyphenated.
select	Use with options, checkboxes, items in a list. Avoid using tick or check; use select instead.
subdocument	Not hyphenated.
tab	A “page” in a dialog box, identified by a tab at the top. Not capitalized. Example: On the Font tab of the Paragraph Style dialog box...
Tab	The Tab key on a keyboard. Capitalized. Example: Press Tab to move to the next cell.
toolbar	One word, not capitalized.
website	One word, not capitalized.