Ribbon guidelines

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   Hi!
How do you design a ribbon for multiple documents? I have been pondering on this for quite some time now.

All ribbon applications usually only have one type of document. Your samples and MS Word/Excel/Powerpoint. One ribbon is always enough. Now, what if you wanted to be able to edit multiple types of documents in your ribbon application? In a regular menu/toolbar application you would simply show/hide menu items when a certain document is about to be edited.

Should you use the same principle for ribbons? That is, handling XTP_ID_RIBBONCONTROLTAB in each view and show/hide certain tabs?

Example:
HOME | EDIT | RESOURCE | TEXT

If I select a resource view, the Text tab is not used. Similarly, if I select a text view the Resource tab is not used.

What are your guidelines? Thanks!

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znakeeye Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 July 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1672	Post Options Post Reply Quote znakeeye Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Ribbon guidelines Posted: 02 February 2007 at 6:28pm
	Hi! How do you design a ribbon for multiple documents? I have been pondering on this for quite some time now. All ribbon applications usually only have one type of document. Your samples and MS Word/Excel/Powerpoint. One ribbon is always enough. Now, what if you wanted to be able to edit multiple types of documents in your ribbon application? In a regular menu/toolbar application you would simply show/hide menu items when a certain document is about to be edited. Should you use the same principle for ribbons? That is, handling XTP_ID_RIBBONCONTROLTAB in each view and show/hide certain tabs? Example: HOME \| EDIT \| RESOURCE \| TEXT If I select a resource view, the Text tab is not used. Similarly, if I select a text view the Resource tab is not used. What are your guidelines? Thanks!

Oleg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 21 May 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11234	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oleg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 February 2007 at 1:39am
	Hello, yes think best solution is to show/hide tabs for some views. See Samples\Ribbon\RibbonMDISample.
	Oleg, Support Team CODEJOCK SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

znakeeye Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 July 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1672	Post Options Post Reply Quote znakeeye Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 February 2007 at 9:15am
	Yes, that is a solution, but sometimes you need some commands in all views. In that case it is convenient if there is one common group available at all times. Hence, I feel it can be a good idea to show/hide groups instead. Anyways, I found this document: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=19E3BF38-434B-4DDD-9592-3749F6647105&displaylang=en It contains some useful information, such as: If you must add a tab, make sure: 1. You do not logically fall under one of the existing tabs. 2. You have sufficient content to fill an entire tab. If you do not, a group on the add-ins tab is the preferred alternative.

Oleg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 21 May 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11234	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oleg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 February 2007 at 1:39am
	Hi, There is CXTPRibbonGroup::SetVisible method. You can show/hide groups...
	Oleg, Support Team CODEJOCK SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

znakeeye Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 July 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1672	Post Options Post Reply Quote znakeeye Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 February 2007 at 4:01pm
	Yes, but Microsoft seem to not recommend showing/hiding ribbon groups. Anyways, thanks for your reply.