Writing & StyleStyle guide

Using Zoom In and Zoom Out in Instructions

Using Zoom In and Zoom Out 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.

Quick answer

Use “zoom,” “zoom in,” and “zoom out” when describing a change in the magnification of a screen or window.

Key details

Core Issueusing zoom in and zoom out in instructions
Registertechnical and professional writing

Important caveats

Scope Boundary

Use these verbs for magnification; they do not describe resizing the underlying object or moving through the interface.

Further guidance

Content

Use “zoom,” “zoom in,” and “zoom out” when describing a change in the magnification of a screen or window.

Purpose

This keeps magnification instructions tied to the user-visible action rather than device-specific input mechanics.

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.

  1. 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.

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