Toolkit Pro - Ribbon guidelines

Ribbon guidelines

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URL: http://forum.codejock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6310
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Topic: Ribbon guidelines

Posted By: znakeeye
Subject: Ribbon guidelines
Date 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!

Replies:

Posted By: Oleg
Date 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

Posted By: znakeeye
Date 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 - 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.

Posted By: Oleg
Date Posted: 05 February 2007 at 1:39am

Hi,

There is CXTPRibbonGroup::SetVisible method. You can show/hide groups...

-------------
Oleg, Support Team
CODEJOCK SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

Posted By: znakeeye
Date Posted: 05 February 2007 at 4:01pm

Yes, but Microsoft seem to *not* recommend showing/hiding ribbon groups.

Anyways, thanks for your reply.