Formatting User Input in Instructions
Formatting User Input in Instructions records a distinct source-supported procedure or technical-formatting task while keeping adjacent UI behavior, accessibility concerns, and implementation mechanics outside the page.
Format user input usually in lowercase unless it is case sensitive, and use bold or italic according to the element being represented.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
When the input contains placeholder text, Microsoft gives separate placeholder formatting guidance; this page does not redefine code syntax.
Further guidance
Content
Format user input usually in lowercase unless it is case sensitive, and use bold or italic according to the element being represented.
Purpose
This makes literal input visually distinct while preserving case-sensitive 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.
- Formatting text in instructions — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Current Microsoft technical-style conventions for formatting UI references, user input, commands, code-related elements, and other text in instructions.