Allan Day
aday@gnome.org
Christian Kirbach
christian.kirbach@gmail.com 2014

# Switches

A switch is a simple interface element which has an on and off state.

# When to use

Switches should be used for controlling services or hardware that have a clear on/off logic. They are particularly appropriate when those services or hardware do not activate immediately (ie. there is a delay between the switch being operated and it having an effect), or when they affect the operation of the application in a significant way.

When the control does not turn a function on or off, or when a function does not clearly have an on/off nature, a check box is a more appropriate option. For example, an alarm might be controlled using a switch, since it can be turned on or off. However, a check box is a better choice for an option to repeat that alarm on a daily basis, since alarm repetition is a configuration option, rather than starting or stopping a particular piece of functionality.

When in doubt, use switches for important configuration options, and check boxes for minor sub-options.

# Switch labels

Switch labels should be written using header capitalization. The name of the function affected by the switch should be used as the label. Automatic Location or Notifications are examples of good switch labels.