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Stephen KairysFlag for United States of America

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Technical Writing: Proper Terminology for Clicking in a Field (Click vs. Click in)

Hi,

I'm documenting a web app. if I want to instruct the user to click a particular choice (for lack of a better word), I write something like:

Click Exclude.

However, suppose I have a field (call it PhoneNumbers) where, if you click in the field itself rather than on the field name, a popup list of phone numbers comes up and you have to do something with it.

Would the proper terminology be "Click in ______" e.g.

Click in PhoneNumbers

the distinction being the addition of the preposition "in"?

Thanks,
Steve
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Aireal Liddle

Hi Steve,

I think that most users would be able to understand the distinction between "Click Phone Numbers" and "Click in Phone Numbers". You could also use something similar like "Select the field for Phone Numbers" or "Select the Phone Numbers Field."

Another option I think might sound a bit better would be "Click within the Phone Numbers field".
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mrwad99
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@ThatNerdyLady/@mrwad99

Good points both of you.

So I guess the secondary question would be: do I need to add the word "field" i.e.

Click in Phone Numbers
(or)
Click in the Phone Numbers field

Thoughts?

Thanks for the very speedy responses! :)
Steve
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Joe Winograd
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@Joe
Yes, "Within" does seem clearer than "in". I think I'll go with that. While I try to minimize verbiage in my tech writing, this case is one where two extra words (and a longer word! : ) are beneficial.

Thanks!
Steve
Oh no!

I wanted to accept multiple solutions, but clicked too quickly. :(  You all deserve credit.

@TheNerdyLady: My audience is somewhat technical - people setting up parameters on a website, so I think I will go with "field".

Thanks, everyone, for the lively discussion! :)

Steve
Steve,
You're welcome. Happy to help. Curious, though, why no points for my help? Not a big deal — just wondering. Regards, Joe
My bad. I meant to click Accept Multiple Solutions. :)
Is there a way to contact the Mods from a closed question  - so I can rectify?

Thanks.
Steve,
Our messages crossed — thanks for realizing that accepting multiple answers on this is the right way to go. You may re-open the question by clicking the Request Attention link under the question. An EE Mod will open it and then you may close it more appropriately, as you wish. Regards, Joe
Crossed again. :)
Done. Isn't  funny that I clicked on the wrong button in a thread about clicking... ;)?

Thanks again!
Yes, quite ironic!
Glad we were able to help!
Thanks, Mr. Wolfe!
Point re-assigned! :) Thanks everyone!