Formatting Code Keywords in Technical Documentation
Formatting Code Keywords in Technical Documentation records a distinct Microsoft Style Guide authoring convention and keeps it explicitly scoped to technical documentation rather than presenting it as a universal grammar rule.
ReviewedEvidence1 sourceSectionWriting & Style
Quick answer
Format code and language keywords according to Microsoft’s developer-text convention so literal keywords are distinguishable from prose.
Key details
Core IssueMicrosoft developer-content guidance provides a distinct convention for code or language keywords.
RegisterMicrosoft technical and professional documentation
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Apply the convention to actual language or platform keywords; do not style an ordinary English word as code merely because it resembles a keyword.
Further guidance
Content
Format code and language keywords according to Microsoft’s developer-text convention so literal keywords are distinguishable from prose.
Purpose
Help readers recognize syntax-level keywords as programmatic text rather than ordinary English words.
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.
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