Ribbon (computing)

A Ribbon (English for the "Band " ), ribbon or a ribbon is a graphical user interface for application programs, which combines the elements of menu control, toolbars, and dialogs with each other. Ribbons are examples of Microsoft Office from version 2007 to use, as well as in WordPad, Microsoft Paint in Windows 7, AutoCAD, Inventor and Snagit. In Windows 8 and the Windows Explorer has a ribbon.

Origin of the name

Looking for a new operating concept for the programs of Microsoft Office 2007, numerous different conceptual prototypes were created and tested. One of the proposals included a sideways sliding, scrolls -like band on which all of the buttons from the toolbars and menu bars could be found. The prototype for this proposal was baptized internally "Ribbon" (English for band). To reduce the excessive time it takes to scan through the band, the idea was soon extended to the decomposition of the band into individual tabs with context- related commands. However, the name "Ribbon" remained in use.

Operation

Are In the top of the program window - terms arranged, the command groups representing, for example, " Start", " Insert" or "Page Layout" - according to a conventional menu bar. However, by clicking on the term pops up a menu, but displays a tab that contains the associated command buttons. Each " menu " therefore has its own tab.

The Ribbon takes by default more space on the screen than the classic combination of menu and toolbar. The symbols are grouped within the task-related ribbons and arranged, with the representation of the command buttons, depending on screen resolution or window size automatically adapts. The fact that additional commands in the ribbon can be accommodated, the use of dialog boxes (for example, the paragraph formatting ) is rarely necessary.

Innovations

The Ribbon component supports by itself some new functionalities that have to be implemented in software with menu and toolbar from the developer himself. This includes, for example, a preview function that already when passing a command button whose effects in real-time displays, without the command by the user must be actually applied. Furthermore, allow " Galleries" a comparison of several different formatting options by each option is represented by an icon, illustrating the result of the applied formatting based on a sample text or image in advance.

Another new feature is the ability to more detailed information texts ( " tooltips " ) display than with the classic toolbars. In this regard such texts are limited without additional programming to a single, uniformly -formatted plain text. In contrast, the Ribbon component supports greater signs, which may also contain longer texts and small images next to a thick printed heading, as well as a visually separated footnote with its own heading.

Criticism

The switch to the Ribbon between the MS Office versions 2003 and 2007 was the most massive change in the operating logic since the first Windows versions of the programs in the early 1990s and was discussed accordingly controversial.

Was particularly low at first acceptance among experienced users, such as the Excel Users Blog noted, though. , Without claim to be representative After the conversion questioned direct to Office 2007 to change their productivity, this group was at a loss of over 35%. Averaged over all voting user of this site, there were still 20 % reduction. One reason for this is the cessation of the main menu bar, which constituted a break with established software standards. In addition, it would also provide an ordering of the elements, some of which differed greatly from the menu structure of the predecessor, and thus requires a certain training period.

The meantime, in 2010 tools are available, representing all functions in the style of Office 2003 to Office 2007 and Office.

Libraries

For the development of applications that use ribbons, provide Microsoft and third-party libraries. Microsoft itself provides for the MFC Ribbon libraries. Third place for other programming languages ​​such as. NET corresponding wrapper available. Others are developing their own Ribbon controls.