Terms by topic · 32 guides

macOS Interface

Learn the names of Mac windows, controls, and visual materials, plus their AppKit or SwiftUI names.

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All macOS Interface terms

Open a term for a simple meaning, an example, when to use it, how official it is, and its code name.

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Color Well

A Color Well is a small control that shows the current color. Clicking it opens the macOS color picker so the color can be changed.
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Column View Browser

A Column View Browser shows a tree across side-by-side columns. Each choice opens its children in the next column and keeps the earlier path visible.
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Combo Button

A Combo Button is split into a main action and a small menu beside it. The menu lists close versions of the same action.
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Disclosure Triangle

A Disclosure Triangle is a small arrow that opens or closes one branch of a tree in the same place.
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Dock Badge

A Dock Badge is a small value on an app's Dock icon. It often shows a useful count even when the app's windows are closed.
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Inspector

An Inspector is a panel for the current selection's settings and details. It stays beside the main work instead of replacing it.
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Level Indicator

A Level Indicator shows where a value sits in a known range. It may use bars, capacity, rating, or relevance marks. Most are read-only, but a rating style may take input.
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Mac Window

A Mac Window is a work area people can move and resize. It has its own title, controls, focus, and open-to-close life among other windows.
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macOS Alert

A macOS Alert is a system dialog for an important choice, failure, or condition. A person must notice it and answer.
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macOS Context Menu

A macOS Context Menu is a short list of actions for the item under the pointer. It opens with a secondary click, such as a right-click.
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macOS Focus Ring

The macOS Focus Ring is the outline the system draws around the control that will receive keyboard input.
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macOS Insertion Caret

The macOS Insertion Caret is the blinking mark in editable text. It shows exactly where the next typed character will go.
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macOS Menu Bar

The macOS Menu Bar is the strip at the top of the screen. The active app puts its full set of commands there in clear menus.
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macOS Panel

A macOS Panel is a floating helper window. It keeps extra tools beside the active document while people continue their main work.
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macOS Pointer

The macOS Pointer is the mark that moves on screen with the mouse or trackpad. Its shape can show pointing, text entry, resize, drag, or an action that is not allowed.
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macOS Popover

A macOS Popover is a small surface that appears for a short time. An arrow points back to the control or content that opened it.
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macOS Search Field

A macOS Search Field is a text box made for search. It has system controls for entering and clearing a query and may show recent searches.
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macOS Segmented Control

A macOS Segmented Control is a short row of joined choices. It switches a view, filter, or closely linked mode.
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macOS Sheet

A macOS Sheet is a dialog tied to one document window. It blocks only that window until the person finishes the choice.
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macOS Slider

A macOS Slider has a track and a movable thumb. It chooses a value within set limits, either freely or in set steps, and may show tick marks.
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macOS Split View

macOS Split View puts two or more panes side by side. A draggable divider gives more room to one pane and less to another without covering either one.
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macOS Stepper

A macOS Stepper has one button to add and one to subtract. It changes a value with set limits by a fixed step.
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Menu Bar Extra

A Menu Bar Extra is a small status item in the macOS menu bar. It opens a focused menu or small window without opening the main app window.
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Outline View

An Outline View is a tree-like list whose rows open child items in place and keep the selection. It can also show more than one data column.
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Pop-Up vs Pull-Down vs Combo Box

These are three small choice controls. A pop-up button shows one current value. A pull-down button runs a command. A combo box also lets people type a value.
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Save Panel

A Save Panel is the macOS screen for naming a file and choosing where to save or export it. It uses familiar folders and system permissions.
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Scroll View and Scroller

A Scroll View shows one part of content that is larger than its window. A macOS scroller shows position and supports the mouse, trackpad, and keyboard.
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Sidebar Source List

A Sidebar Source List is a tree-like list at the side of a window. The chosen source or group sets what appears in the main area.
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Token Field

A Token Field turns each known value into a separate item that can be removed. People can keep typing to add more values.
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Traffic Lights

Traffic Lights are the standard red, yellow, and green controls at the top-left of a Mac window. They close, minimize, and zoom or enter full screen.
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Unified Title Bar Toolbar

A Unified Title Bar Toolbar is a command row built into the window title area. People can change it, and it holds common document or view actions.
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Visual Effect Material

Visual Effect Material is a macOS surface style that blends and blurs what is behind it. It changes with the window state and light or dark look.