Formatting Strings 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
Use the Microsoft-prescribed technical-text formatting for a literal string when documenting text that a user or system must recognize as a string.
Key details
Core IssueMicrosoft’s instruction-formatting guidance treats strings as literal technical text that should be visually distinguished from surrounding prose.
RegisterMicrosoft technical and professional documentation
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
This is a Microsoft technical-documentation convention; preserve literal characters and quote marks required by the product, language, or syntax.
Further guidance
Content
Use the Microsoft-prescribed technical-text formatting for a literal string when documenting text that a user or system must recognize as a string.
Purpose
Distinguish literal strings from explanatory prose so readers can identify the exact text being discussed.
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 AI Prompts 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.
Formatting Attributes 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.
Formatting Classes 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.
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.
Formatting Code Samples in Technical Documentation 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 Constants 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.
Formatting Control Classes 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.
Formatting Data Formats 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.
