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It has been Microsoft style to hyphenate *e-mail* and write *Web site* as
two words, capitalizing *Web*. Today we’re announcing a new direction in
guidance for these words. Updated topics will be published in the internal
June update to MSTP <http://mstp/>.
*email* (noun)
- No hyphen. Current MSTP guidance about using this word as a noun
but not as a verb still applies.
*web*
- Lowercase except when referring to a UI element or feature name,
such as *Web Slice,* or in the phrase *World Wide Web*.
- Microsoft Style: the web, web address, web browser, web form, web
server
*website*
- Write *website* and *webpage* as one word; all other two-word web
terms remain as two words.
*Why is MSTP changing guidance on these words?*
We’re making this change to Microsoft style to improve consistency across
Microsoft content and to align with the evolution of these terms in
technological and general usage.
*When should I make the switch?*
Teams will set their own timelines about when to implement these changes in
content. Some teams have already switched; others will plan the switch to
align with a particular product release or publication milestone. Check your
product or team style guide, if you use one.
*Is MSTP moving toward dropping hyphens in general?*
No. Dropping the hyphen from *email* is a style decision particular to this
word. Other e-words, such as *e-commerce,* will keep their hyphens, and all
other words with hyphens will continue to be hyphenated. However, avoid
e-words when you can use words without the prefix, and don’t coin new
e-words. For example, use *commerce* and *mail* rather than *e-commerce* and
*email* when the context is clear.
*What about translation memories?*
Teams that work with localization and translation memories (TMs) may choose
to postpone making these changes until budget is available to update
translations. Please note that because this change in guidance affects
common words, the impact to localization and recycling efforts that utilize
translation memories is likely to be significant. MSTP guidance is intended
to *guide* language choices in Microsoft content and to provide customers
with a consistent, high-quality experience; these are *not* mandatory rules.
*The Microsoft Editorial Style Board*
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