Formatting Dialog Names in Instructions records a distinct Microsoft Style Guide authoring convention and keeps it scoped to technical instructions rather than presenting it as a universal grammar rule.
ReviewedEvidence1 sourceSectionWriting & Style
Quick answer
When a dialog must be named in Microsoft-style instructions, bold the dialog name and normally use sentence-style capitalization unless matching the UI requires otherwise.
Key details
Core Issueformatting dialog names in instructions
RegisterMicrosoft technical and professional documentation
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Avoid unnecessary references to the dialog itself; use “dialog” rather than “dialog box,” “dialogue box,” or “popup window.”
Further guidance
Content
When a dialog must be named in Microsoft-style instructions, bold the dialog name and normally use sentence-style capitalization unless matching the UI requires otherwise.
Purpose
Keep the user’s attention on the action while making a necessary dialog reference scannable.
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.
Formatting Command Names in Instructions records the relevant Microsoft Style Guide convention while keeping it explicitly house-style scoped rather than presenting it as a universal grammar rule.
Formatting Menu Names in Instructions records a distinct Microsoft Style Guide authoring convention and keeps it scoped to technical instructions rather than presenting it as a universal grammar rule.
Formatting Palette Names in Instructions records a distinct Microsoft Style Guide authoring convention and keeps it scoped to technical instructions rather than presenting it as a universal grammar rule.
Formatting Pane Names in Instructions records a distinct Microsoft Style Guide authoring convention and keeps it scoped to technical instructions rather than presenting it as a universal grammar rule.
Formatting Tab Names in Instructions records a distinct Microsoft Style Guide authoring convention and keeps it scoped to technical instructions rather than presenting it as a universal grammar rule.
Formatting Window Names in Instructions records a distinct Microsoft Style Guide authoring convention and keeps it scoped to technical instructions rather than presenting it as a universal grammar rule.
