Windows features

Using a dialog box

A dialog box appears when you need to supply additional information to complete a task.

Most dialog boxes contain options you can select. After you specify options, you can choose the OK button to carry out the command. Some dialog boxes may display information, warnings, or messages indicating why a requested task cannot be accomplished. You can move a dialog box to another location on the screen by dragging its title bar.

To move within a dialog box:

The currently selected option within a dialog box appears as a highlight, a dotted rectangle, or both.

To move to another option in a dialog box:

If the option, box, or button has an underlined letter in its name, you can choose that item by pressing and holding down Alt while typing the underlined letter.

Dialog box options

A dialog box can contain the following options:

Command buttons:

A command button initiates an action, such as carrying out or cancelling a command. The OK, Cancel and Help buttons are common command buttons. They are often located along the right side of a dialog box.

The currently selected button has a border that is darker than that of other buttons. Unavailable options appear dimmed.

Example of a command button:

To choose a command button:

Text boxes:

In a text box you type information. When you move to an empty text box, an insertion point (a flashing vertical bar) appears. The text you type starts at the insertion point.

If the box you move to contains text, and the text is highlighted, any text you type will replace it. You can also delete existing text by pressing the Del or BackSpace.

Example of a text box:

To select text in a text box:

List boxes:

A list box displays a list of choices. If there are more choices than can fit in the box, scroll bars are provided so you can move quickly through the list.

Usually, you can select one item in a list box.

Example of a list box:

To select an item with the mouse:

To select an item by using the keyboard:

Drop-down list boxes:

A drop-down list box initially appears as a rectangular box containing the current selection. When you select the down arrow in the square box at the right, a list of available choices appears. If there are more items than can fit in the box, scroll bars are provided. In ILWIS, you will sometimes find at the right end of a drop-down list box, a so-called create button. When you click on the create button, an object can be created.

Examples of a drop-down list box:

To open a drop-down list box and select an item with the mouse:

To select an item from a drop-down list box by using the keyboard:

To create an object with the create button:

Option buttons:

Option buttons represent a group of mutually exclusive options. You can select only one button at a time. If you already have one option selected, your current selection replaces it. The selected option button contains a black dot. Names of unavailable options appear dimmed.

Example of option buttons:

To select an option button:

If the option has an underlined letter, you can select the option button by pressing and holding down Alt while typing the underlined letter.

Check boxes:

A check box presents non-exclusive options: you can select as many check box options as needed. When a check box is selected, it contains an X. Names of unavailable options appear dimmed.

Example of a check box:

To select or clear a check box:

If the option name has an underlined letter, you can select or clear the check box by pressing and holding down Alt while typing the underlined letter.