Writing & StyleStyle guide
Using Select for Specific UI Items
Using Select for Specific UI Items 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.
Use “select” for a specific UI item when Microsoft’s interaction guidance calls for that verb.
Key details
Core IssueMicrosoft uses “select” as an input-neutral verb for choosing many specific UI items.
RegisterMicrosoft technical and professional documentation
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Keep literal UI labels accurate, and use a more specific verb when Microsoft guidance assigns one to the particular interaction.
Further guidance
Content
Use “select” for a specific UI item when Microsoft’s interaction guidance calls for that verb.
Purpose
Describe the target action without assuming mouse, keyboard, or touch input.
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.
- Describing interactions with the UI — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Current Microsoft Style Guide evidence for input-neutral UI action verbs including open, close, go to, select, choose, clear, enter, switch/turn on/turn off, move/drag, move through, and zoom.