Command Area (Area)

Provide a command area for entering commands if a task analysis of the user's tasks shows that the user will need to enter commands.

Use a command area with a text-entry field if commands are simple textual strings or are unique and not usually repeated.

Use a command area with a command box if the user could use a history list of past commands for repetition or for composing a new command.

Use a command area consisting of push buttons if the user will issue commands from only a small set (from two to ten) of fixed commands.

Do not use a command area consisting of push buttons if the user will issue commands from a medium-sized set (from ten to twenty) of commands. Instead, place a critical subset in the command area as push buttons and place the rest in a palette area or in menus.

If you include a command area, provide a text-entry field or a command box or a group of push buttons or both for common actions.

Do not scroll the command area when the viewing areas of the window are scrolled.

If you include a command area, design it to run from border to border across the width of the window.

If you include a command area in a window that has an information area, place the command area just above the information area. Otherwise, place the command area at the bottom of the window.