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RealmMinistryPlatformPDSACSAccountingGivingConnectShepherdGrowth MethodGo MethodMissionInsiteGatherHeadMaster ChildcareTrust CenterData Governance and Business DocsACST Content Standards

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Word Choice

Accepted Words

This is a list of accepted terminology when communicating about our products and services. These terms provide clarity and consistency to customer-facing communications and content.

Using the same terms and language consistently is important for high-quality content. When we use clear and straightforward language, it makes the content easier for readers to understand, which helps us communicate information effectively.

affect

Note:

Generally used as a verb.

Example: Decreasing the amount of data affects the length of reports.

effect

among

Note: Use when describing three or more things.

Example: You can select from among three program options.

between

appendixes

Note:

appendices

Note: Use "appendixes" instead of "appendices".

autofill

A software feature that automatically enters previously stored information into a data field.
Note:

Can be used as a verb, adverb, or adjective. No hyphen.

Example: The tool autofills the field.

backspace

Note: One word, no hyphen. Not capitalized.

between

Note: Use when describing two things.

Example: The program provides a choice between two options.

among

button

A graphical device on the user interface that lets you perform an action with one click.

Also, a mechanism on a pointing device, such as a mouse, that people use to perform actions.

Note:
radio button

cancel

Note: Use one "L", the American way, with our flag flying free like the eagle.

Also, "canceled" and "canceling". But, "cancellation".

checkbox

A square, button-like box associated with a user-selectable option. When selected, the box may be filled, checked, contain an "X", or appear pushed in. Checkboxes may be grouped together in a box with a title. More than one checkbox can be selected or cleared.

Example: Clear the Inactive checkbox.

Note: One word, no hyphen.

check-in

The act or fact of registering in.

For example "Use the Realm Check-in Module to register children at VBS."

Note: Check-in is hyphenated when used as a noun or adjective: "First, set up a check-in kiosk." or "Attendance is taken automatically when you use check-in."

check in

To register someone upon their arrival.

When first used, be clear if this is referring to the verb form (lowercase) or the name of a module.

Note: Check in is two words when used as a verb form. "Open a kiosk to check in children."

clear

Note: You "clear" a check box or data field.

Example: Clear the Include Inactive Profiles check box. Clear the Primary Address field.

unselect, deselect, uncheck, empty

Note:

click

Note: Use "click" to describe mouse actions that involve selecting a UI element, such as button, tab, or icon.

Example: Click the Ministers tab, and select the option you want. Click Setup > Ministers > Reports. Click the calendar icon to display the yearly calendar. Click the drop-down list to select an action.

criteria

Principles or standards by which something may be judged or decided.
Note: Use "criteria" as the plural form and "criterion" as the singular form.

Example: Unending sadness is a major criterion for a diagnosis of depression.

Example: Make sure you meet the criteria before signing up.

CSV

Note: Use "CSV" when talking generally about a comma-separated values file. Use ".csv" in file names and when it's used as an adjective, like "donation_info.csv" and ".csv format".

data set

A collection of related information that is composed of separate elements but can be manipulated as a unit by a computer.
Note: Two words, no hyphen.

data

Note: The word "data" is singular.

Example: Data is stored on the hard drive.

database

Note: One word, no space, no hyphen.

desktop menu

A list of choices displayed when the user right-clicks with the mouse pointed on the desktop.
Note:

desktop

The background on the screen where all windows and icons display.
Note:

double-click

Note: Hyphenate when used as a verb.

Example: Double-click the icon to open the folder.

drop-down list

In the user interface, a rectangle with an activation button (usually an arrow pointing down) on the right side. When users select this button, a list of options displays. After users select an item from the list, it collapses to a rectangle with the selection displayed inside.
Note: Hyphenate. "Drop-down" may be omitted if there are no other list boxes in the window. Do not omit "list".
Note: Do not use "drop-down" by itself as a noun. Always use "drop-down list".

e-file

Electronic filing.
Note: Hyphenate. In body text, use "e-file". In headings or titles, use "E-File". As the first word in a sentence, use E-file. In the middle of a sentence, use e-file.

Examples: Upload your e-filed tax returns. E-File Your Tax Returns in April

Conversely, "email" and "eGiving" are not hyphenated.

Note: E-file is hyphenated to adhere to how the IRS and Nelco presents it (most of the time).

effect

Note: Generally used as a noun.

Example: One effect of decreasing the amount of data is a shorter report length.

affect

eGiving

eGiving includes online giving, text giving, and mobile giving.
Note:

Use "eGiving" to refer to any combination of online giving, text giving, and mobile giving. However, if a scenario needs to be specific, look at the true function and customer use. You may simply need to talk about online giving if that is all that the topic involves.

While some legacy materials may refer to "Giving Coaches", the official, corporate term for team members was "eGiving Coaches". However, ACST no longer has eGiving Coaches.

giving

Note:

email

Note: No capital letter, no hyphen.

e-mail

Note: Use "email" instead of "e-mail".

enter

Note: Use "enter" for text that the user inputs.

Example: Enter the congregant's first name in the field.

fewer

Not as many.
Note: Use "fewer" when referring to specific, countable numbers and measurements.

Example: Cookie Monster was told to eat fewer cookies.

less

Note: Use "less" when referring to general, uncountable amounts.

Example: Give Cookie Monster less milk next time.

less

field

Part of the interface where users can enter information to add data or search a database.
Note:

file name

Note: Two words within text. One word as a variable name in a procedure.

Example: Enter the file name. Click <filename>.exe.

gray

Note: Use the American English form "gray".

grey

Note: Do not the British form "grey".

hard copy

a printed document
Note: Two words. Use only as a noun.

soft copy

Note:

head count

Note: Two words.

home page

Note: Two words.

icon

A graphical representation of an object that users can select and open, such as a minimized application window.
Note:

ID

Abbreviation for identification.
Note: Capital letters, no periods. Can be used with the word "number".

Example: Enter the constituent's ID number.

Internet

Proper noun referring to a collection of networks, such as the World Wide Web, newsgroups, chat rooms, and online forums.
Note:

Use uppercase and article "the" to refer to a collection of networks.

Example: The Internet is an amazing example of technological achievement.

Use uppercase and article "an" when you are using it as a modifier.

Example: Contact an Internet service provider.

internet

Note:

Use lowercase and article "an" to refer to a network connecting two or more networks with a networking device.

Example: Install an internet or external router.

keyboard shortcut

A key or sequence of keys used to perform actions like displaying menus or dismissing windows.

accelerator key

kilobyte

measure size, such as file size
Note: Abbreviate as "KB".

Example: Compress the image to 200 kb.

kilobit

Note: Used to discuss data transfer speeds, such as "200 kilobits per second". Abbreviate as "kb".

less

Not as much.
Note: Use "less" when referring to general, uncountable amounts.

Example: Give Cookie Monster less milk next time.

fewer

Note: Use "fewer" when referring to specific, countable numbers and measurements.

Example: Cookie Monster was told to eat fewer cookies.

fewer

list box

A box in the user interface containing a list of items or options the user can select.
Note: Two words.

list

Note:

log in to / log out of

Gain access to a website or program.
Note: Use the verb form to refer to accessing a website or program.

Example: Log in to Realm to view your tasks.

login

Note: Use the noun or adjective form to refer to the credentials a user enters to log in.

Example: Create a login and password. Enter your login credentials.

log on to / log off of

login

The credentials a user enters to gain access to a website or program.
Note:

Use one word for the noun or adjective form.

Example: Create a login and password. Enter your login credentials.

log in to / log out of

maximize button

The button located in the top-right corner of the window and to the right of the minimize button; expands a window to its maximum size.
Note:

megabyte

measure size, such as file size
Note: Abbreviate as "MB".

Example: Compress the video to make sure it is smaller than 100 MB in size.

megabit

Note: Used to discuss data transfer speeds, such as "200 megabits per second". Abbreviate as "mb".

menu

A list from which users can select choices to execute commands.
Note: Can use with the name of the menu.

Example: On the File menu, click Properties.

Note: Refer to specific menus on the menu bar.

Wrong: Select File from the menu bar.

Right: Select the File menu.

minimize button

The button located in the top-right corner of the window and to the left of the maximize button; reduces a window to an icon.
Note:

multi

Note: No hyphen unless it's necessary to avoid confusion. See The Gregg Reference Manual for exceptions.

Example: multimedia, multitasking

newsfeed

Note: One word. If used in the UI, capitalize as "Newsfeed".

Note: Updated taxonomy to include "news feed" to improve search.

news feed

Note:

online

Note: No hyphen.

on-line

Note:

pane

An area of the window used to group items by function. Often enclosed by a titled box or shading that makes the pane appear raised.
Note: Can be used with the position of the pane.

Example: The report preview displays in the left pane.

parentheses

Plural form of "parenthesis".
Note: Use to refer to a set of parenthesis "()".

parenthesis

Note: Singular form of "parenthesis". Usually used in plural form. "(" is an open parenthesis, and ")" is a closed parenthesis.

PDF

Note: Use "PDF" when talking generally about a portable document format file. Use ".pdf" in file names only, like "profile_info.pdf".

post

Note: No hyphen unless it's necessary to prevent confusion. See The Gregg Reference Manual for exceptions.

Example: postscript, postfix

pre

Note: No hyphen unless it's necessary to prevent confusion. See The Gregg Reference Manual for exceptions.

Example: predefined, pre-engineered

press

Note: Use "press" for keyboard actions.

Example: Press Enter to continue. Press Esc to exit.

re

Note: No hyphen unless it's necessary to prevent confusion. See The Gregg Reference Manual for exceptions.

Example: reenter, reorganize, re-create

screen

The panel on the front of a monitor.
Note: Only use "screen" to describe the panel on the front of a monitor. Use "window" to describe a part of the UI.

Examples: Use the app to record your screen. Lower screen resolution is more suitable for smaller monitors. The app is running in full-screen mode. You can add information in several windows.

screenshot

screenshot

Note: One word.
screen

select

Note: Use "select" to describe actions that involve the user making a choice from among multiple options (typically check boxes, radio buttons, and drop-down menu items).

Examples: Select the check box to include inactive profiles. From the drop-down list, select Change Primary Address.

choose

Sign-in

A username or password that allows a user to access a computer system, cloud software, database, or an app.
Note: Sign-in" is hyphenated when used as a noun or adjective: "Remember your sign-in credentials." "Don't forget your sign-in.
Note: Use the term that displays in the product's user interface. Realm, ACS, PDS, and OnDemand use sign in/out; Full Method = log in/out.

log-in

Note: Log-in is hyphenated when used as a noun or adjective. "Keep your log-in credentials in a password keeper." "Visit your Full Method log-in page."

smartphone

Note: One word. No space, no hyphen.

space bar

The bar on the keyboard that inserts a space.
Note: Two words. Use with the verb "press".

stand-alone

Note: Hyphenate when used as an adjective.

Example: stand-alone application, stand-alone version

start-up

Note: Hyphenate "start-up" when used as an adjective. Only use "startup" in the noun form with technical audiences. Do not use the verb form "start up".

Examples: The names are in the start-up file. The configuration file is read at startup.

status line

The area of the window that displays system messages. May be part of a toolbar or may stand alone.
Note: If there are buttons on either side of the status line, only the area where messages display is called a status line. The buttons and status line together are called a toolbar.

sub

Note: No hyphen unless it's necessary to prevent confusion. See The Gregg Reference Manual for exceptions.

Example: subdepartment, subsection

subdepartment

subordinate department or distinct part of anything arranged in divisions
Note: No hyphen.

tab

Part of the user interface that looks like the name area on a file folder. Used to group window items by function.
Note: Use to refer to tabs on a ribbon, webpage, or in a dialog box.

Example: On the View tab, click Print Preview.

the Tab key

Note: When referring to the Tab key on the keyboard, capitalize it and use the verb "press".

Example: Press the Tab key to move to the next field.

toolbar

Element in the user interface with one or more buttons. May include other window items such as lines and fields.
Note: One word.

Example: The toolbar displays buttons you can use to print, download, or share the report.

user name

Note: Two words, no caps when used generally. If UI shows the term as one word, use one word.

Examples: Enter your user name. Click Log In with My Username to display the Login dialog box.

webpage

A single page on a website.
Note: One word, no capital letter.

website

A group of webpages.
Note: One word, no capital letter.

window control button

button in the upper-left corner of most windows; displays a list of window control choices
Note: All lowercase.

workaround

Note: One word, no hyphen.

workflow

Note: One word, no hyphen.

ZIP code

Note: Two words. Capitalize "ZIP", do not capitalize "code".

Last updated: March 3, 2026