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Formatting developer text elements

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Consistent text formatting helps readers locate and interpret information. Follow these formatting conventions for text elements commonly used in content for developers.

In general, use code style for programmatic or code-related elements. The following table lists examples of common programming elements, and some exceptions to the code style convention. Consider localization needs for the text elements you're formatting.

For information about referring to these elements in UI, see Formatting text in instructions.

See also
Capitalization
Formatting common text elements
Procedures and instructions

Capitalization

The capitalization of developer text elements varies depending on the programming language or operating environment. Use the capitalization that's appropriate for the element you're discussing. Follow the coding style guidelines for the language you're writing about. When you're documenting existing code, capitalization should follow what's used in the code.

Element Convention Example
Attributes Code style. IfOutputPrecision
Classes (predefined or user-defined) Code style. ios
filebuf
BitArray
BlueTimerControl
Code samples, including keywords and variables within text and as separate paragraphs, and user-defined program elements within text Code style. #include <iostream.h>
void main ()
Command-line commands Code style. copy
Command-line options (also known as switches or flags) Code style. Capitalize the way the option must be typed. /a
/Aw
Constants Code style. INT_MAX
bDenyWrite
CS_DBLCLKS
Control classes Code style. All uppercase. EDIT control class
Data formats Code style. All uppercase. CF_DIB format
Data structures and their members (predefined) Code style. BITMAP
bmBits
CREATESTRUCT
hInstance
Data types Code style. Capitalization follows the API. DWORD
float
HANDLE
Database names Bold. Code style if using in code syntax. Contoso database
USE ContosoSalesDatabase;
Directives Code style. \#include
\#define
Environment variables Code style. INCLUDE
SESSIONNAME
Error messages Sentence-style capitalization. Enclose in quotation marks when referencing error messages in text. An error occurred during report processing.
If you see the error message, "Placeholder text in a content control contains items that aren't valid," remove floating objects, revision marks, or content controls from placeholder text, and try again.
Event names Code style. In the OnClick event procedure ....
Fields (members of a class or structure) Code style. IfHeight
biPlanes
File attributes All lowercase. The attrib command displays, sets, or removes the read-only, archive, system, and hidden attributes assigned to files or directories.
File name extensions All lowercase. .mdb
.doc
File names (user-defined examples) Apply code style if used in code. Use bold or plain text if referencing UI. MyTaxesFor2025
My Taxes for 2025
Folder and directory names (user-defined examples) Apply code style if used in code. Use bold or plain text if referencing UI. MyFiles\Accounting\Payroll\VacPay
Vacation and sick pay
Functions (predefined) Code style. CompactDatabase
CWnd::CreateEx
FadePic
Handles Code style. All uppercase. HWND
Keywords (language and operating system) Code style. Capitalization follows the API. main
True
void
Logical operators Code style. AND
XOR
Macros Code style. LOWORD
MASKROP
Markup language elements (tags) Code style. <img>
<input type="text">
<!DOCTYPE html>
Mathematical constants and variables Italic. a2 + b2 = c2
Members Code style. ulNumCharsAllowed
Methods Code style. OpenForm()
GetPrevious()
New terms Italicize the first mention of a new term if you're going to define it immediately in text. Microsoft Exchange consists of both server and client components.
Operators Bold. Use code style for code-related operators. +, -
sizeof
Parameters Code style. Hdc
grfFlagClientBinding
Placeholders (in syntax and in user input) Italic when placeholder element is UI text. Use angle brackets for code placeholders when angle brackets aren't part of the language syntax. Enter password.
/v: <version>
Ports All uppercase. LPT1
Products, services, apps, and trademarks Usually title-style capitalization. Check the Microsoft trademark list for capitalization of trademarked names. Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse
Microsoft Word
Surface Pro
Notepad
Network Connections
Makefile
RC program
Properties Code style. M_bClipped
AbsolutePosition
Message ID
Registers Code style. DS
Registry settings Subtrees (first-level items) all uppercase. Separated by underscores. Usually code style.
Registry keys (second-level items) follow the capitalization of the UI.
Registry subkeys (below the second level) follow the capitalization of the Regedit UI.		 HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
SOFTWARE
ApplicationIdentifier
Statements Code style. IMPORTS
LIBRARY
Structures Code style. ACCESSTIMEOUT
Switches Code style. Usually lowercase. build: commands
UI text or strings Treatment varies; see Formatting text in instructions. Sentence-style capitalization. Import from file
Create a new resource
See all your resources
Manually trigger a flow
Report a bug
URLs All lowercase for complete URLs. If necessary, line-break long URLs before a slash. Don't hyphenate. Use code style if referring to URLs in code.
See also URLs and web addresses.		 www.microsoft.com
www.microsoft.com/download
const url = "https://www.microsoft.com"
User input Usually lowercase, unless case sensitive. Bold. Use italic only for placeholders. Enter hello world
Enter password
Values Code style. All uppercase. DIB_PAL_COLORS
Variables Usually code style. bEmpty
m_nParams
file_name
XML schema elements Code style. Usually surrounded with angle brackets. <configuration>
ElementType element