Mnemonics in dialog boxes

A mnemonic is single key, not used in combination with CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT keys, that activates a menu command in an open menu. A mnemonic is shown as an underlined letter in each menu command.

Mnemonics are discontinued in ALM (Darwin) as current (2008/Vista) Windows style guidelines outline. Keyboard users move the input focus from one control to another in a dialog box with the TAB and ARROW keys.

Mnemonics will continue in LDMS until such a time as HF, Dev, and PM can negotiate their removal in LDMS per the guidelines listed below.

When mnemonics are required:

• Mnemonics never appear on OK, Cancel or Help buttons. (Or whatever the default buttons are for the Enter and Esc keys such as Save or Close.)
• MS recommends choosing the mnemonic in the following order of preference:
  
• Use the first letter of the command name unless another letter provides a better mnemonic association.
  
• If the first letter is already assigned to another command, use a letter that is as close as possible to the first letter of the command name.
  
• Use a distinctive consonant in the command name.
  
• Use a vowel in the command name.

Sample: