Step-by-step Procedures

• Provide a sequence of numbered steps, starting with 1. Do not provide a paragraph of sentences.
• Describe one action per step.
• If the user needs to do the same thing for several procedures, refer to earlier steps rather than repeating them.
• When steps and diagrams flow down a page side-by-side, put text on the left and diagrams on the right.
• When steps include commands or code blocks, put the commands or code blocks after the step that includes them.
• If directions can appear in only one place, either text or figure, put them in the text; don’t hide directions in diagrams.
• When a series of steps is supported by one figure, refer to the figure in the introductory text: “See Figure 15 and do the following:”
• When a series of steps is supported by two or more figures, avoid referring to a range of figures. Rather, refer to a specific figure in the relevant step and show the figure immediately after the reference. Do not say: “See figures 15 through 22 and do the following:”