Updated: February 24, 2020

Terminology for Common Actions

Intro

SAP has defined naming conventions for the most common core actions that are used across all applications and lines of business. By standardizing the main action names, we avoid ambiguity and ensure a consistent user experience.

When to Use

Use the standard action labels listed below for the specified generic and business actions across all products.

For more information about the different types of action, see Action Placement.

List of Standard Action Labels

General Information

  • Typically, action buttons in SAP Fiori use a verb in the imperative (with the exception of universal labels, such as Settings).
  • The action labels listed below define the common actions (for example, Create ). In many cases, this will be sufficient in the context. However, if your use case requires it, you may also add a qualifier (for example, Create Product ).

Standard Action Labels

Action Definition Opposite Action
Accept Accept invitations, contracts. Decline
Add Add an existing object or item to a list. Remove
Approve Grant permission (for example, for budget or vacation). Reject
Back Go back to the previous screen.
Cancel Abort an action without saving any changes.
Close Close the dialog or window.
Copy Create a new object or item based on an existing one. In this case, the user adapts the core data copied from an existing object.Note: The finalizing action is still Create.
Create Create a new object or item. Delete
Create and New Finalizing action: Create an object from scratch and return to the create screen to add another new object.
Decline Refuse an invitation. Accept
Delete Delete the object or item itself. Use Delete if the object or item has already been actively saved. Create
Discard Discard a draft for a new object, or a draft version containing changes to an existing object, without saving. Use Discard if the object or item has not yet been actively saved by the user.
Edit Make changes to an existing object.
Filter Set a filter.
Note: Typically a tooltip label for a filter icon.
Finish Trigger the completion of a workflow or process. Other labels may be used when finishing a workflow or process kicks off a subsequent workflow.
Forward Forward a request to a manager or decision-maker.
Next Continue to the next screen (in a workflow with a sequence of activities).
OK Confirm settings that may or may not have been changed (for example, filter settings for a table).Note: In most cases, a specific action verb is preferable.
Reject Refuse permission. Approve
Remove Remove the reference to an item (for example, remove a person from a distribution list). Add
Save Save changes to existing objects.
Note: If the action triggers a workflow, use Submit instead.
Save and Next Finalizing action for editing a series of existing objects: Save the current object and open the next object in the series in edit mode.
Save As Save a copy of an existing object or setting within the app, using the current state. Example: Save changes to a filter variant under another name.

By contrast, the Copy action involves an intermediate editing step.

Note: The finalizing action for Save As is Save.

Share Tooltip text for the share icon  . Opens a menu with sharing actions.
Show Less
Also: Show [n] less
Collapse a list or screen area within the current page or dialog.
Show More
Also: Show [n] more
Expand a list or screen area within the current page or dialog.
Sign In Log on to SAP Fiori.
Sign Out Log off SAP Fiori.
Submit Submit to a worfklow (for example, for manager approval).

Top Tips

For other actions not covered above, apply the following:

  • Use a verb in the imperative for action buttons.
    Exception: If there is a standard, industry-wide convention for an action label, follow the standard convention (examples: Settings , Full Screen ).
    Note: The grammatical form for actions can differ for other languages. For example, German action labels use the infinitive (Speichern, Abbrechen, Bearbeiten).
  • Use the same action consistently throughout the interaction. Typically, triggering and finalizing actions are the same (for example, an Export button in a table toolbar, and the Export action in the follow-on dialog).
  • Keep action labels as short as possible. Consider the limited space on smaller screens. Also keep in mind that other languages often require more space than English.

Related Topics

Action Placement