User:Andrew/ViewAndNavigation
Appearance
Viewing and Navigation encompasses the wide variety of behaviors and operations that allow users to navigate the interface and affect its presentation.
Access functions
- Try to omit the status bar from your application.
- Provide a context menu for controls with implicit functions.
- Provide a toolbar for frequently used functions.
- Use a push button to initiate an action when the user clicks it.
- Use a toogle button to indicate a state, preferably in toolbars only.
- Use a command link to navigate between pages.
- Support keyboard access by accelerators and shortcuts.
- Follow the guidelines for dialogs for secondary windows.
Grouping
- Arrange associated controls by using a labeled group box or an unlabeled frame.
- Allow users to resize aligned groups by placing a splitter between the groups.
- Use tabs to show related information on separate pages.
Complex views
- Use a list view to show some items out of one category.
- Use a tree view to show items with a single, natural, hierarchical categorization.
- If you really need to create your own widget follow the guidelines for custom controls.
- Double check the guidelines about plotting diagram/charts.