Tooltips are small text messages that appear when hovering over a toolbar icon or control in software programs, GUIs, and on the web. They provide reminders or explanations and can be disabled in program settings or by editing the registry. Microsoft calls them “ScreenTips” and Apple refers to them as “BalloonTips”.
A tooltip is a small text message in a box that appears when the mouse cursor hovers over a toolbar icon in a software program. The hint is usually a one or two word reminder of what the tool does. For example, in Microsoft Word hovering the mouse cursor over the scissors icon in the top toolbar produces the suggestion “Cut”, while hovering it over the clipboard icon produces “Paste”. Tooltips are useful when a program is new because they help familiarize the user with toolbar shortcuts.
Tooltips are also used in graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to help explain controls. This is commonly found in gaming interfaces and virtual music or video decks. Hovering over each control will reveal what the control does.
Another place you may see a tooltip is on the web. Images may have accompanying text boxes which may say “click here for a larger image” or in some cases a tooltip may provide the viewer with information about the image . These pop-up text boxes are also activated by a cursor rollover and are often more verbose than a standard tool tip.
While tips can be a great help, some users find they can get in the way once they’re no longer needed. In most cases the “Preferences” or “Options” setup menu of a software program will include a control to disable hints. The control can always be reactivated later if the suggestions are lost.
In the case of Windows operating systems it is necessary to edit the registry to disable the tooltips. Instructions can be found with any search engine. For those who are reluctant to edit the registry, simple hacking programs can be found that will make the necessary change.
Tips are referred to as “ScreenTips” in Microsoft user documentation. On Apple Macintosh computers, tooltips are generated in balloons and are called “BalloonTips”.
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