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Formatting punctuation

  • Article

In general, format punctuation in the same font style as the main content of a sentence or phrase.

Text describing interaction with the UI

In instructions that reference elements such as commands, options, keywords, placeholders, links, pop-up text, and user input:

  • If the punctuation is part of the element, such as punctuation that the customer must type, format the punctuation the same as the element.
    Example
    Enter Balance due: in cell A14.
    (In this example, the colon is bold because the customer types the colon.)

  • If the punctuation is not part of the element, format the punctuation the same as the main text.
    Examples
    On the Insert menu, go to Pictures, and then select From File.
    (In this example, the comma following Pictures and the period following File aren't bold because the punctuation isn't part of the UI labels.)
    Select Accounts > Other accounts > Add an account.
    (In this example, brackets aren't bold because they aren't part of the UI labels.)

Parentheses and brackets

Format parentheses and brackets in the font style of the main text, not of the text in the parentheses or brackets.
Example
Open any Office app and select File > Account. (If you're doing this in Outlook, select File > Office Account.)
(In this example, the opening and closing parentheses aren't bold, to match the main text.)

Use the same font style for the closing parenthesis or bracket that you use for the opening parenthesis or bracket.