Combining Short Actions in One Procedure Step
Combining Short Actions in One Procedure Step records a distinct source-supported writing task while keeping adjacent procedure choices and implementation mechanics outside the page.
Keep separate instructions in separate steps, but combine short actions when they occur in the same place in the interface and remain easy to follow together.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Do not combine actions merely to reduce the step count; keep them separate when location, sequence, or comprehension would suffer.
Further guidance
Content
Keep separate instructions in separate steps, but combine short actions when they occur in the same place in the interface and remain easy to follow together.
Purpose
Selective combining prevents needless step fragmentation without hiding meaningful transitions.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Writing step-by-step instructions — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Current Microsoft Style Guide evidence for structuring single- and multi-step procedures, procedure headings, step grouping, completion actions, and concise step writing.