Cycle button

A cycle button

A cycle button is a graphical user interface element that allows the user to choose one from a predefined set of options^[1]. It is used as a button^[1] the content of which changes with each click^[1] and cycles between two or more values^[1]; the currently displayed value is the user's choice.

A cycle button's advantage over radio buttons or a list box is that it takes less screen space^[1]; its advantage over a drop-down list is that a single mouse click is enough to switch between the two options.

However, a disadvantage is that, if the button has a lot of options, a lot of clicks are needed to switch to the desired one. This is why some GUI environments have the ability to display the same element as a cycle button or a drop-down list, depending on the number of options.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Cycle button". Usability Glossary. Usability First. http://www.usabilityfirst.com/glossary/cycle-button/. Retrieved 2011-06-25.