Due to the use of proportional fonts, it is difficult to guarantee that a specific number of characters will always be visible in a field. When sizing widgets, assume that an "average" character has a width of 0.1." Each widget has additional sizing requirements described below.
[Translation] (OMS-75001) All text (except text that has a known translated length) must be able to expand by at least 30%. Translation lengths for many common terms are listed in the section Terms with No Abbreviation. This 30% expansion rule applies to the number of "average" characters, not inches. The 30% rule applies to different types of text differently, as listed in the following table:
| Text type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Prompt on left of field | Leave 30% expansion room to left of prompt. |
| Prompt above left -justified field or list | Leave 30% expansion room to right of prompt. |
| Prompt above right-justified field | Leave 30% expansion room to left of prompt. |
| Prompt above center-justified field or check box | Leave 30% expansion room, divided equally to the left and to the right of the prompt (15% on each side) . |
| Buttons | Size to allow 30% expansion of the label + 0.2." |
| Check boxes in single-record blocks | Size to allow 30% expansion of the label + 0.3." |
| Poplists | Size to allow 30% expansion + 0.5." |
| Option Groups | Size every button the same, such that the widest label can expand 30%. |
| Frame Titles | Size underlying frame such that title can expand to the right by 30%. |
| Display-only fields | Size 30% wider than needed in English, except for fixed-width fields (for example, date or time). |
(OMS-75002) [Translation] All prompts must have a minimum of 1" (10 "average" characters) total space available in which to expand when translated. This rule may not apply if the translated length is known ahead of time.
The minimum of 1" is in addition to the 0.2," 0.3," or 0.5" necessary for the cosmetics of buttons, check boxes in single-record blocks, and poplists respectively. For example, a button with a short label must be at least 1.2" wide (1" minimum plus 0.2" for the cosmetics of the button).
Text items that must fully show between 1 and 10 characters should be sized one character wider than the maximum width of the contents to guarantee that the contents will be fully visible. This rule does not apply for fields that will show only numbers or to fields that have standard lengths (the standard lengths should account for the extra size requirement) (OMS-74008).
Attention: The two prior standards are commonly referred to as the 30%/1" rule. It is important to remember that these are the minimum spacing requirements. Whenever possible leave additional space for translation.
(OMS-75003) [Translation] Items that show text but are not scrollable (such as poplists and buttons) must be coded to display the maximum expected length of text in all languages.
(OMS-75022) All prompts and labels are in mixed case, except for the following, which are in lower case:
Articles (such as "the")
Coordinate conjunctions (such as "and")
Prepositions (such as "with")
The "to" infinitives
These words should, of course, be capitalized when they are at the beginning of the prompt or label.
(OMS-75023) Errors, messages, questions, etc., that contain text that appears on the form as labels or prompts should use the same capitalization conventions as the text on the form.
Avoid abbreviations if possible. Some abbreviations have been approved for use in Oracle Applications and are listed in the section Abbreviations
If you have room, use the full (unabbreviated) version of the term. When using the full versions of these terms, it is not necessary to leave 30% extra for expansion as an approved abbreviation can be used upon translation if necessary.
Every item must have Hint Text, a Label, a Prompt, or Tooltip Text associated with it (except special fields like current record indicators, which act as controls, not as fields). This is so that devices utilized by a challenged user can clearly communicate a label and value as focus moves.