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Capitalization and proper nouns

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Capitalization means using uppercase letters (A, B, C) instead of lowercase letters (a, b, c). This section provides clear rules for capitalizing names, brands, technical terms, and UI elements.

Capitalization and proper nouns

General rules​

Use sentence case in your applications (capitalize only the first word of a sentence or heading, and any proper nouns). As the dominant trend in digital interfaces, we use sentence case to support readability, accessibility and consistency.

  • Configure system settings.
  • Import data from external sources.
  • User authentication and permissions.
  • Configure System Settings.
  • Import Data From External Sources.
  • User Authentication And Permissions.

Do not capitalize generic system or technology terms.

  • database, server, cloud platform, operating system, web application
  • Connect to the database.
  • Upload files to the cloud platform.
  • Database, Server, Cloud Platform, Operating System, Web Application
  • Connect to the Database.
  • Upload files to the Cloud Platform.

Do not capitalize common technology terms that were initially proper nouns and capitalized, e.g. internet, website and email.

  • Connect to the internet for access.
  • The website is available 24/7.
  • Send an email to support.
  • The Website is available 24/7.
  • Send an Email to support.

Proper nouns​

Always capitalize proper nouns (specific names) including:

  • Geographic locations: Germany, Munich, United States, Europe, Tokyo
  • Programming languages: Python, JavaScript, C++, Java, Ruby
  • Protocols and standards: HTTP, HTTPS, TCP/IP, ISO 9001, REST
  • Days and months: Monday, January, December
  • Languages: German, English, Italian, French
  • The system supports Python and JavaScript.
  • Software available in Germany and France.
  • The system supports python and javascript.
  • Software available in germany and France.

Always capitalize product names, systems, and third-party platforms exactly as trademarked, using the official spelling and capitalization.

  • Product names: Adobe Photoshop, Salesforce, Slack, Zoom
  • Company names: Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta
  • Trademarked terms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
  • Configure Photoshop settings.
  • Integrate with Salesforce.
  • Configure photoshop settings.
  • Integrate with salesforce.

Capitalize official service and portal names you have created and named within your product as proper nouns.

  • Log in to the Customer Portal.
  • Access resources on Developer Hub.
  • Log in to the customer portal.
  • Access resources on developer hub.

Headings​

Use sentence case for all headings (including table headings). Capitalize only the first word and proper nouns. See Punctuation.

  • Get started
  • Configure settings
  • Import data from SAP
  • Get Started
  • Configure Settings
  • Import Data From SAP

Button labels and UI elements​

Use sentence case for button labels and UI elements. Capitalize only the first word and proper nouns.

  • Save changes
  • Export to PDF
  • Connect to server
  • Upload file
  • Save Changes
  • Export To PDF
  • Connect To Server
  • Upload File

Slashes do not create new sentences. Treat them like "and" or "or". Capitalize only the first word and proper nouns. See Punctuation.

  • Client/server architecture
  • Read/write permissions
  • Input/output operations
  • On/off switch
  • Windows/Mac compatibility
  • Client/Server Architecture
  • Read/Write Permissions
  • On/Off Switch
  • windows/mac compatibility

Acronyms and abbreviations​

Capitalize all letters in acronyms and abbreviations. Do not use periods between letters.

  • UI, API, FAQ, PDF, CSV, HTML, USB
  • Check the FAQ for common questions.
  • Export data as CSV or PDF.
  • The API documentation is available online.
  • ui, api, faq, pdf, ok
  • U.I., A.P.I., F.A.Q., P.D.F.
  • The Api documentation is available online.

Capitalization exceptions​

"OK" appears in all caps.

  • Select OK to start.
  • Select Ok to start.

Use capitalization for the first word of app functions and menu items when navigating users, e.g. menu items, label text, button text, etc. even when they are not proper nouns. This exception is to help with scanning and readability.

  • Open Settings
  • Allocate users in User management.
  • Open settings
  • Allocate users in user management.
  • Allocate users in User Management.

Use periods for Latin abbreviations.

  • e.g. / i.e. / etc. / et al. / vs.
  • eg / ie / etc / ET AL / VS

Don't use periods for geographic abbreviations. Capitalize all country codes.

  • US
  • GB
  • U.S.
  • Gb

Lists and bullet points​

Capitalize the first word of each list item. Use sentence case throughout. For punctuation in lists, see Punctuation: Period/full stop.

  • Configure the database connection.
      • Import user data from CSV.
      • Set up authentication.
      • Generate reports in PDF format.
  • configure the database connection.
      • Import User Data From CSV.
      • set up authentication.
      • Generate reports in pdf format.

Hyphenated words​

Capitalize only the first word of a hyphenated compound (nouns connected with hyphens) unless the second part is a proper noun.

  • Self-service portal
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Real-time monitoring
  • Hewlett-Packard
  • Self-Service Portal
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
  • Real-Time Monitoring
  • Hewlett-packard

Special cases​

Use lowercase for file extensions. Use the original case for file names and paths.

  • config.json / setup.exe / README.md
  • Open the config.json file.
  • Navigate to /usr/local/bin.
  • config.JSON / setup.EXE / readme.MD
  • Open the Config.JSON file.
  • Navigate to /Usr/Local/Bin.

Use the exact case used in programming when writing or referencing actual code or technical identifiers, but not for UI text or end-user documentation.

camelCase (variables, functions, methods):

  • firstName
  • getUserData()
  • isValid
  • FirstName
  • GetUserData()
  • IsValid

dash-case (URLs, file names, CSS classes):

  • user-profile.html
  • main-content
  • /api/user-settings
  • userProfile.html
  • mainContent
  • /api/userSettings