Context Menu ============ Purpose ------- A *context menu* displays a list of actions applicable to the current context. It is normally hidden from view (except :doc:`menu bars `) and drops down when the user right-clicks on something. Context menus should be considered accelerators for advanced desktop users. Many mouse users don't think to right-click on things. The right-click gesture required to show a context menus can be difficult to perform on many laptops, and it is flat-out impossible on a touch device. Guidelines ---------- Is this the right control? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - Provide a context menu for any item with actions that can be performed on it. - Provide a context menu for common actions like 'Copy' and 'Paste' for textual controls, or navigation actions like 'Forward' and 'Backward. - Don't use context menus as the only way to access functionality. Every item in a context menu must be available via a method that is somehow visible by default--typically the app's main :doc:`menu bar `, but also via toolbar buttons. Behavior and Appearance ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See the guidelines for :doc:`menu bars `.