Introduction to the Graphical User Interface
* Lesson 2 - COMMON FEATURES AND COMMANDS 2.1 - THE
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE [1] Introduction to the
Graphical User Interface
A GUI helps you interact with a program on your computer. Most
productivity programs have a similar interface that has common features.
This illustration describes the key features of the GUI of a 2007 Microsoft
Office program. These elements include the Microsoft Office Button, the
Quick Access Toolbar, the Ribbon, the title bar, and the status bar.
Scroll down to view more information.
1.
You can click the MICROSOFT OFFICE BUTTON to view a menu that contains
various commands and buttons. The commands on the menu help you create,
save, and print your documents. The buttons at the bottom of the menu help
you change the settings in the program and exit the program.
2.
The QUICK ACCESS TOOLBAR provides you with buttons to commonly used
commands. By default, this toolbar displays the Save, Undo, and Repeat
buttons. However, you can customize the Quick Access Toolbar to include
commands that you use frequently.
3.
The TITLE BAR displays the name of the document that is currently open.
The title bar also contains the Minimize, Restore Down/Maximize, and Close
buttons.
4.
Commands that help in working with document content are organized in
logical groups on the tabs that make up the RIBBON. Each tab on the Ribbon
is designed to help you perform a particular activity, such as writing or
laying out a page. The Help button appears at the right end of the Ribbon.
Using this button, you can search for topics that are related to the
program.
5.
The blank space within the program where you enter information is called
WORK AREA.
6.
SCROLL BARS are vertical and horizontal bars located at the side or at
the bottom of a display area. You can use scroll bars to move to a specific
location in the work area.
7.
The STATUS BAR provides information about the document that is currently
open. You can customize the status bar to show the required information by
right-clicking the status bar and then by selecting the required options.
The View toolbar is located at the right end of the status bar. This
toolbar provides tools for adjusting the view of contents in a document.
