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Capitalization

As a general rule, use sentence casing unless there is an exception outlined below.

  • Easier to scan
  • Saves space
  • Sends off a casual and friendly vibe
  • Ensures consistency with simplification of rules

This is sentence case


Do

This is Title Case


Don't


This is UPPERCASE


Don't

Exceptions

UI references

When referring to a UI reference on the screen, match the casing of the reference. UI references are defined as visible elements on the screen.


Click Exit and Save to continue


Do

Click exit and save to continue


Don't


In the following example, public pages describe the type of pages and do not reference a navigation item.


Use the same mobile device rules found in public pages


Do

Use the same mobile device rules found in Public Pages


Don't


Features

Don’t sub-brand features when making a general reference. Talk about the feature so that it sounds natural in conversation.

  • Our writing should focus on the user’s intentions rather than on the product itself.
  • Unnecessarily bringing attention to A New Feature is distracting and often intimidating.
  • Sub-branding can impact the product and Liferay’s overall brand perception.

There were changes made to your workflow.


Do

There were changes made to your Workflow.


Don't


Changes have been made to this template, exit without saving?


Do

Changes have been made to this Asset Publisher Template, exit without saving?


Don't


Proper Nouns and Abbreviations

Proper nouns including branded terms should always be title cased. Abbreviations are all uppercased.


Your DXP instance is connected to Analytics Cloud


Do

Your dxp instance is connected to analytics cloud


Don't


Navigation

Navigation items should be title-cased.

  • Application names are in title case in menus, but within a sentence should be sentence case.

Menu with items in title case

Do

Menu with items in sentence case

Don't


Small Labels (component)

Small label components in size 10 font styles should be uppercased to meet accessibility standards. This rule does not apply to default size labels, however it is recommended. Removable labels are usually a result of user input, therefore should match the casing of the user’s input.


Labels using caps lock

Do

Labels not using caps lock

Don't


Labels (non-component)

Some UIs such as charts that require labels to provide additional context to the user. These labels should also use 10 or 12 px font style and should be all uppercased.


Chart main label in uppercase

Do

Chart main label in sentence case

Don't


Section Dividers

Section dividers are found in navigation, forms, and tables. These are all uppercased.


Section divider using uppercase

Do

Section divider using sentence case

Don't


Punctuation

Full sentences should have proper punctuation. Full sentences contain a subject and predicate.


An administrator must grant permission to delete users.


Do

An administrator must grant permission to delete users


Don't


Fragments/phrases help save space in the UI and are less formal. Phrases are neither a title/heading nor a full sentence (containing a subject & predicate).

  • They do not require punctuation, however, they should be in sentence case.
  • Common areas that contain phrases that won’t require title casing or punctuation
    • Bullet lists
    • Radio buttons
    • Check boxes
    • Form field headers
    • Labels
    • Sub-headers
    • Help text
    • Hover text
    • Table headers

Grant delete permissions


Do

Grant delete peremissions.


Don't


Hyphens, Ens, & Ems

  • '-' Hyphens used in compound words
  • '–-' Ens relate to ranges
  • '—--' Ems similar to semicolons, are used for an interruption in a sentence.

Em dashes are not allowed. If there is a case where you want to use this or semicolon, consider breaking it into 2 sentences.

Numbers

We will take a local (US english) approach to numbers and dates to provide a consistent baseline for our translation services. We still prioritize clarity in the selected styles in case a translation does not occur.

Zero through nine rule

In a non-technical sentence, spell out any single digit number. Use numerals for anything greater than nine. This goes for both ordinal and cardinal numbers.

Ordinal numbers

First, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eight, ninth


Tthe second payment is due in 30 days.


Do

The 2nd payment is due in 30 days.


Don't


Cardinal numbers

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine


There are two data sources that need your attention.


Do

There are 2 data sources that need your attention.


Don't


There are 12 data sources need your attention.


Do

There are twelve data sources that need your attention.


Don't


Numbers in UI

Numbers used in UI elements are an exception to the previous rule. Use numbers in the UI, do not spell it out.


Number inside dropdown sentence expressed as number

Do

Number inside dropdown sentence expressed as text

Don't


When exact numbers are necessary, use a comma to separate thousands, millions, billions, etc.


1,234,567


Do

1.234.567

1 234 567

12,34,567

1'234'567


Don't


In some cases, knowing the exact number does not provide added value to the user. In these cases express very large numbers in numerals followed by million, billion and so on. If required, exact numbers can be revealed in hover states or drill downs.


4 million visitors


Do

4,042,239 visitors


Don't


Abbreviations can be used to save space. However, abbreviated format should be limited to screens offering a quick overview of the numbers and charts. Separate the abbreviation from the number.


123 K

123 M

123 B


Do

123k

123mm

123bn


Don't


Rounding to 1 decimal place is acceptable.


123.4 M


Do

123.44 M


Don't


UI References

Similar to the capitalization rules surrounding UI references, match the styling of the UI reference that contains a number.


There is an error on line 4


Do

There is an error on the fourth line


Don't


Dates

Dates are complex when writing for an international audience. We use American english style, to promote consistency for our translation services. We recommend using the full date whenever possible, but abbreviations are acceptable to save space.

FormatFullAbbreviated
Month and dateMonth DDMon DD
Month and yearMonth YYYYMon YYYY
Month, date, and yearMonth DD, YYYYMon DD, YYYY

Months can be abbreviated on UI elements spell out the month name (at least three characters).

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


If you must write the dates in numbers our preferred format is the ISO-8601 date format: YYYY-MM-DD Keeping this consistent is critical, as the changing formats will cause a lot of confusion. Please note, number-only date format is not recommended.


2020-02-25


Do

25/02/20

2020-25-02

02/25/2020


Don't


Time

Always use a.m./p.m. to indicate time of day. Leave a space between the numeral and the a.m./p.m. Whenever possible, use noon or midnight instead of 12:00 a.m./p.m.


4:45 p.m.


Do

4:45pm

4:45PM

4:45 pm

4:45 PM


Don't


Scheduled maintenance at midnight PST


Do

Scheduled maintenance at 12:00 a.m. PST


Don't


Do not include :00 when there is not a minute reference.


5 p.m.


Do

5:00 p.m.


Don't


For a range of time, use the en dash with no spaces between. Only include a.m./p.m. on both times if necessary. If they are the same, add it to the last time.


4 - 5 p.m.

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.


Do

4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

11 - 2 p.m.


Don't


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