Italics for New Terms on First Mention
Italics for New Terms on First Mention records the narrow Microsoft convention for introducing a term that is immediately defined.
Italicize a new term on its first mention when you define it immediately; the rule does not require italics for every later occurrence.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Do not infer that every unfamiliar word or every later mention should be italicized; the Microsoft rule is tied to first mention plus immediate definition.
Further guidance
Content
Italicize the first mention of a new term when its definition follows immediately.
Purpose
Signal that a term is being introduced and defined, without repeatedly styling every later occurrence.
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.
- Formatting common text elements — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Microsoft technical-style conventions for error messages and common text elements