Mnemonic Key

In a graphical user interface, the underlined letters in the text of menu and dialog box items.  When the menu/dialog box items are active, the user can select the item by pressing the ALT key together with the underlined letter.  The underlined letter is also known as a hotkey.

EXAMPLE: "&File" (menu item text).

Here the ampersand character has been placed in front of the letter "F."  During the run-time of the translated application, the letter "F" will appear underlined and can be used in combination with the ALT key to select this menu item.

Figure: RC-WinTrans' main menu bar.  The hotkey for the "File" menu item is the letter "F."