Dialog Boxes

Dialog boxes often contain groups of controls necessary to set options or settings for programs.

You can select or choose controls that have an underlined letter in their titles by typing ALT + the underlined letter at any time when the dialog box is active. TAB moves the keyboard focus between controls, but which controls are included in the focus sequence, and the order of the sequence, may vary between applications. Typically, items that cannot be changed are not visited by the TAB key. Arrow keys are used to move within a list box, groups of option controls, or groups of page tabs. Arrow keys can move the keyboard focus between other controls but this behavior is not reliable. Options that are unavailable appear dimmed and cannot be selected.

While the controls described here are typically found on dialog boxes, they also can occur in other contexts.

Command buttons The OK button carries out the command using the information supplied in the dialog box. Other command buttons let you cancel the command or choose from additional options.

Command buttons marked with an ellipsis (...) open another dialog box so you can provide more information or confirm an action.

A dark border initially indicates the default button. Press ENTER at any time to choose the button with a dark border. Use TAB to move the keyboard focus to the next control, and add SHIFT to reverse the direction. When you move the keyboard focus to a command button it temporarily takes the dark border, but when the keyboard focus is not on a command button the dark border returns to the default button. Press SPACEBAR to choose the command button you selected with TAB. Use ESC to immediately choose the Cancel button if there is one. Typing the access key for a command button will immediately carry out the command.

Check boxes Use TAB to move between boxes and SPACE to change the check box to the next state. Typing the access key for a check box also will move the focus to the box and change is state.

Option controls (also known as radio buttons) are used to select only one option from a group of options. (Like check boxes, option buttons may represent two or three states.) In some applications, you can add CTRL to move to the button without selecting it, then use SPACEBAR TO CHOOSE the currently selected option button. Typing the access key for an option control will also move the focus to the control and select it.

Tabbed pages are used to fit many options into a single dialog box. They appear visually similar to dividers from a notebook. Each page contains separate groups of controls such as check boxes or option controls. Use TAB to move the focus to the tab for the currently visible page. Typing the access key for a page tab also will move the focus to the tab and display its page.

The table, Tabbed Pages, summarizes the actions for the keys in tabbed pages:

Tabbed Pages

Sliders appear as an indicator on a vertical or horizontal gauge. The slider both displays and sets a value from a continuous range, such as speed, brightness, or volume. Use TAB or the appropriate access key to move the focus to the slider.

Spin boxes appear as a text box with up and down arrows used to select from a list of fixed values. Use TAB to move the keyboard focus to the text box, then enter a valid value in the box or use the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW keys to select the next higher or lower values.

List boxes display a column of available choices. If there are more choices than can fit in the open list box, moving the selection through the list will scroll more choices into view. Use TAB or type the appropriate access key to move the focus to the list box.

Single selection list boxes allow only one item to be selected from the list at a time. Use the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW keys to select items. Moving to a second item will automatically deselect all other items.

Drop-down list boxes by default show only the selected item. There is a small button to the right of the control that shows a downward-pointing arrow. You can click the arrow to display more items from the list. You also can show or hide the list using ALT+DOWN ARROW, ALT+UP ARROW, or F4. In all other respects it behaves like a normal single-selection list box.

Extended selection list boxes support selecting single items, blocks of items, or combinations of the two. After selecting an item as in a single-selection list box, hold down SHIFT+Navigation keys to select or deselect more items.

Multiple selection list boxes typically have comparatively long lists and more of these items are expected to be chosen individually (not in blocks). Navigating to items does not automatically select them nor does selecting an item change the status of other selections. Press SPACEBAR to select or deselect an item.

Combo-boxes and drop-down combo boxes are list boxes with attached edit boxes. You can make your selection by either typing in the edit box or using the standard commands to select from the list.

The table, Combo Boxes and Drop-Down Combo Boxes, summarizes the actions for keys in combo boxes:

Combo Boxes and Drop-Down Combo Boxes

Edit controls are rectangular boxes used for displaying or editing text. Use TAB or the appropriate access key to move the focus to the edit control and select the text.