Using Turn On and Turn Off for Toggle Controls
Using Turn On and Turn Off for Toggle Controls records a distinct source-supported procedure or technical-formatting task while keeping adjacent UI behavior, accessibility concerns, and implementation mechanics outside the page.
Use “turn on” and “turn off” for webpage options and toggle controls that can be activated or deactivated; use more specific verbs when the control type calls for them.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Do not use “turn on” or “turn off” for selecting or clearing checkboxes; Microsoft directs writers to “select” and “clear” for those actions.
Further guidance
Content
Use “turn on” and “turn off” for webpage options and toggle controls that can be activated or deactivated; use more specific verbs when the control type calls for them.
Purpose
This keeps toggle instructions input-neutral and aligned with Microsoft’s action-verb guidance.
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.