Writing & StyleStyle guide

Distinguishing Pan, Flick, and Swipe in Touch Instructions

Distinguishing Pan, Flick, and Swipe in Touch Instructions records a distinct source-supported procedure-writing task while keeping adjacent procedure choices, accessibility concerns, and implementation mechanics outside the page.

Quick answer

Use the documented touch verbs for their intended gestures: pan for moving through content by moving contact on the surface, flick for a quick scrolling movement, and swipe for a short quick movement associated with the interface action described.

Key details

Core Issuedistinguishing pan, flick, and swipe in touch instructions
Registertechnical and professional writing

Important caveats

Scope Boundary

These are method-specific terms; do not substitute them into input-neutral procedures when the same task can be completed through other input methods.

Further guidance

Content

Use the documented touch verbs for their intended gestures: pan for moving through content by moving contact on the surface, flick for a quick scrolling movement, and swipe for a short quick movement associated with the interface action described.

Purpose

The guidance gives readers a consistent, scannable way to follow the procedure without adding unsupported requirements.

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.

  1. Describing alternative input methods — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Current Microsoft guidance for documenting keyboard, mouse, touch, pen, joystick, and multiple input methods in procedures.

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