2.2.2.1-7 User Requested Menus: Pull-Downs and Pop-Ups

User requested menus should be used whenever possible.

Additional Information:
Among the types of user-requested menus, pull-down menus provide two advantages over pop-up menus: (1) the menu bar serves as a useful mnemonic aid, showing the user the command categories available in the menu; and (2) gaining visual access to the menu items within a category, selecting the item, and removing the menu can be accomplished with a minimal number of actions. The primary advantage of a pop-up menu over a pull-down menu is that, depending on the specific implementations, the user may have immediate access to the menu at the screen location of the selection action. The ideal user-requested menu design would provide the user with a reminder of the menu categories and allow the user to select an item with few actions and little movement of a cursor on the screen.