Navigation / The visual dictionary
Menu bar.
A horizontal row of named menus for an application's commands.
Also calledapplication menumenubar
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UI illustrationSee it in context
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What it is
A horizontal row of named menus for an application's commands. Group commands into predictable menus and expose keyboard shortcuts alongside relevant items.
When to use it
Use it for desktop applications with a broad command set.
Know the difference
A menu bar contains menu categories; a toolbar offers direct one-click actions.
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Across platforms
WebmacOSWindowsLinux
Web · macOS · Windows · Linux
macOS places app menus in the system menu bar; Windows and Linux often place them within the app window.
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Go to the source
Primary documentation for the pattern and its platform conventions.