Dialog Box Controls

Getting Started

Dialog Box Controls

Dialog boxes pop up on your screen when Windows or a Windows based program needs information, requires you to confirm an action (such as deleting), or has an alert or other information. Dialog boxes look a bit like windows, but don’t have all the features of windows. For example, they have title bars, but not toolbars. You can move them but not resize them. You can close them but not minimize them. Most dialog boxes are intuitive, usually asking for a simple Yes, No, or OK. Some are more complicated, especially those used for changing settings.

Several Windows 98 dialog boxes you use to change system settings are subdivided into tabbed categories, like a "real" file folder or card file. This allows you to make multiple changes from a centralized location on your computer. Each tab has a heading which categorizes the information on that tab. Click on the tab to change from one to another.

The following illustration shows the Display Properties dialog box:

Dialog boxes feature button, boxes, tabs and sliders to help you control how your computer looks and works. You need to become familiar with the various dialog box controls.

Command button

Tells the computer to carry out an action. Click on this button to execute a command.

Option button

Appears when you have a list of choices. This button looks like a circle. Click inside the circle to select only one option.

Check boxes

Appear when a list of options is available. Click inside the boxes to select one or more options.

Text box

Provides space for you to type information. For example, when you name a file, you type in a text box.

Spin box

Sets a value, such as the number of copies to print. A spin box is a text box next to an up arrow and a down arrow. The text box contains a number. Click the up arrow or the down arrow to increase or decrease the number.

List box

A white space that contains a list of options. Click on an option to select it.

Drop-down list box

Shows only one option at a time (the option that is selected), and there is an arrow at the end of the box. Click the arrow to see the whole list of options.

Tabs

Resemble file folder tabs. When you click on a tab, a page of information appears.

Slider

Looks like a sliding volume control on a radio. It lets you set a value within a range of values, such as from slow to fast. To move a slider, place the mouse pointer on the slider, hold down the left mouse button and drag it.