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User Actions
It's important to use consistent language across the UI when describing user actions. Avoid device-specific terms like "click", "tap", or "swipe". Instead, choose generic verbs that work with any device.
Terms
Use to the verbs listed here to describe user actions in the UI.
User Actions | Do | Don’t |
|---|---|---|
Closes a non-editable window | Close | Cancel |
Cancels an action and closes the window without saving changes | Cancel | Close |
Progresses to the next step of a multi-step process | Next | Continue |
Returns to the previous step of a multi-step process | Back | Previous |
Allows the user to make changes | Edit | Update, Modify, Change |
Confirms the completion of a task where changes | Done | Close, Cancel |
Adds an existing object to a list | Add | Add more |
Removes an object from a list | Remove | Delete |
Creates a new object | Create | Apply, Manifest |
For dropdown placeholder text and copy referring to | Select | Choose, Choose [field] |
Opens the user’s file browser and attaches the selected file | Attach | Upload |
Opens the user’s file browser and reads the selected file | Upload | Attach |
Sends to a different application | Export | Send |
Downloads files from the application to the user’s computer | Download | Export |
Provides the user more information or instruction | Help | User Guide |